Question 2.8: Naming a Binary Chemical Compound from Its Molecular Model N...
Naming a Binary Chemical Compound from Its Molecular Model
Name the chemical compounds shown here.
PROBLEM STRATEGY
After recognizing that these are molecular compounds, start by writing down the elements using subscripts to denote how many atoms of each element occur in the compound. Next, determine which element should be written first in the chemical formula. (The more metallic element is written first.)
a. The elements in the compound are O and N. There are two O atoms for each N atom, so the chemical formula could be O_2N. Applying the rule for writing the more metallic element first, the formula is rearranged to yield the correct formula, NO_2. Using Greek prefixes and naming the elements in the order in which they appear, we get the correct chemical formula: nitrogen dioxide.
b. Following the same procedure as part a, we get chlorine monofluoride.