NICK THE CAMEL MNEMONIC

Nick the Camel Craves a Clam, an Aspirin, and a Brew for Supper in Phonenix with Mandy N – nitrogen C – carbon Cr – chromium Cl – chlorine As – arsenic Br – bromine S – sulfur P – phosphorus Mn - manganese Nick mandy The consonants tell the number of “oxygens” The vowels tell the “negative charge” Polyatomic ions ending in “-ite” (one less oxygen than “-ate”) Hypo- means one less oxygen than –ite Per- means one more oxygen than –ate Same charge

POLYATOMIC IONS TO KNOW (THAT ARE NOT IN “NICK THE CAMEL”) OH -1 – hydroxide (is not a “ho”) C 2 H 3 O 2 -1 – acetate O 2 -2 – peroxide CN -1 – cyanide C 2 O 4 -2 – oxalate NH 4 +1 – ammonium NH 3 – ammonia H 2 O 2 – hydrogen peroxide ACIDS (For those that do not begin with “hydro”) Hydro- -ate -ite HCl-ic -ous HF HBr HI PREFIXES Mono – 1 Di – 2 Tri – 3 Tetra – 4 Penta – 5 Hexa – 6 Hepta – 7 Octa – 8 Nano – 9 Deca - 10