1. Naming Acids & Bases

2. What is an Acid?
Acid: a compound that makes hydrogen ions H+ (aq) when dissolved in water
i.e.: HCl (aq) → H+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)
Note: acids must be dissolved in water to produce H+ ions. Look for the (aq) which means aqueous to indicate the acid is dissolved in water
How to identify them:
Hydrogen + a non-metal with the (aq) symbol

3. What is a Base?
Base: a compound that makes hydroxide ions OH- (aq) when dissolved in water
i.e. NaOH (aq) → Na+ (aq) + OH- (aq)
How to identify them:
Metal + hydroxide ion (OH) with the (aq) symbol

4. Naming Bases
Easy! Name the cation followed by the anion (hydroxide) with the ending –ide (just like we’ve been doing all along with ionic compounds)
You will know that it is a base if you see the (aq)
i.e. NaOH (aq)
sodium hydroxide
i.e. Ca(OH)2 (aq)
calcium hydroxide

5. Try It!
Name the following base:
KOH (aq)
potassium hydroxide

6. Naming Acids with A Non-Metal (simple anions)
i.e. HCl (aq)
You will know to name this as an acid because of the (aq)
Write “hydro-”
Add the name of the non-metal (shortened, with the ending “-ic”) i.e. chloric
Add the second word “acid”
HCl (aq) = hydrochloric acid

7. Try It! Name the following acids: HF (aq) HBr (aq) HI (aq)
hydrofluoric acid
HBr (aq)
hydrobromic acid
HI (aq)
hydroiodic acid

8. Naming Acids with Polyatomic Ions
The first part of the name is the name of the polyatomic ion which is shortened . One of two endings are added to this name.
- ic if the anion name ends in - ate.
- ous if the anion name ends in - ite.
The last part of the name is acid
i.e. HNO3(aq) (nitrate ion) = nitric acid
i.e. HNO2(aq) (nitrite ion) = nitrous acid

9. Try It! Name the following acids: H2CO3 (aq) H2SO4 (aq) H2SO3 (aq)
carbonic acid
H2SO4 (aq)
sulfuric acid (sulfate ion)
H2SO3 (aq)
sulfurous acid (sulfite ion)

10. Formula -------> H2SO4 (aq)
Name to Formula
Determine the anion present from the name:
“hydro” in the name means H plus a non-metal
“-ic” or “-ous” means H plus a polyatomic ion
The cation (positive ion) is always H +
Write down the formulas of the two ions. Draw the table to see which subscripts to add:
i.e. sulfuric acid
sulfuric > sulfate > SO4 2-
acid > hydrogen > H 1+
H SO4
Formula > H2SO4 (aq)

11. Try It! Write the formula for: phosphoric acid
Anion = phosphate PO43-, Cation = H 1+
H PO4 1+
Formula: H3PO4(aq)