Names From Formulas - Simple Salts

Naming simple cations is easy: Li+ lithium cation Be2+ beryllium cation Na+ sodium cation Mg2+ magnesium cation K+ potassium cation Ca2+ calcium cation Rb+ rubidium cation Sr2+ strontium cation Cs+ cesium cation Ba2+ barium cation Al3+ aluminum cation Ag+ silver cation Cd2+ cadium cation Zn2+ zinc cation Ni2+ nickel cation

N3- O2- F- P3- S2- Cl- Se2- Br- I- He Ne Ar Kr Xe Naming simple anions is only slightly more challenging. He Ne Ar Kr Xe N3- O2- F- nitride oxide fluoride P3- S2- Cl- phosphide sulfide chloride Se2- Br- selenide bromide I- iodide

Try naming these formulas with the names of the anions visible: nitride - N3- oxide – O2- fluoride – F- phosphide - P3- sulfide – S2- chloride – Cl- selenide – Se2- bromide – Br- iodide – I- NaCl sodium chloride Cs3P cesium phosphide BaBr2 barium bromide AlCl3 aluminum chloride K2S potassium sulfide Ag2O silver oxide MgO magnesium oxide ZnS zinc sulfide Mg3N2 magnesium nitride CdI2 cadmium iodide AlN aluminum nitride NiF2 nickel fluoride

Do we ever specify the number of anions or cations? No! Try naming these formulas without the names of the anions visible: NaCl sodium chloride K3N potassium nitride CaCl2 calcium chloride Mg3N2 magnesium nitride AlCl3 aluminum chloride AlN aluminum nitride Na2O sodium oxide NiO nickel oxide CaO calcium oxide AgI silver iodide Al2O3 aluminum oxide CdS cadmium sulfide