UNIT 03: Naming Compounds
Project: Ionic Puzzles
Potential Credits:
BCLN CHEMISTRY 11 - Rev. July, 2015
Name: ________________
/20
Goal:
The goal of this project is to help you become more comfortable with how ions combine to form
ionic compounds. One way to represent or think about ions is as puzzle pieces. Anions (negative
ions made from non-metals) always have more electrons than the atoms they are made from so we
represent them as pieces with tabs sticking out. Cations (positive ions made from metals) always
have less electrons than the atoms they are made from so we represent them as pieces with holes.
You will need to fit ionic puzzle pieces together correctly to create balance between negative and
positive and then provide both formulas and names for the compounds you have created.
Example:
On each page you will find boxes and puzzle pieces. Your job will be to move the puzzle pieces into
the correct boxes so that all pieces are used and then to provide names for the compounds you have
created. An example is shown below.
Here is what an unfinished compound will look like:
Here is what an finished compound would look like with the formula and name written below:
Formula: MgCl2
Name: Magnesium Chloride
Page 1 of 6
UNIT 03: Naming Compounds
BCLN CHEMISTRY 11 - Rev. July, 2015
Monovalent Ionic Compounds:
Monovalent ionic compounds are ones in which the metal only has one possible charge. Naming
them is quite straightforward. You write the name of the metal first. Then you write the name of the
non-metal but you change the ending to IDE. For example oxygen becomes oxide. Complete the
four boxes below by moving the pieces around to create three ionic compounds. Remember there
should be no left over pieces when you are done. Provide formulas and names for each.
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
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UNIT 03: Naming Compounds
BCLN CHEMISTRY 11 - Rev. July, 2015
Polyatomic Compounds:
Polyatomic compounds are a special form of ionic compounds where one or both of the ions is made
from a combination of non-metals rather than just a single non-metal. However the rules for
combining them are essentially the same as for simple ionic compounds. Nothing will change about
how you arrange the puzzle pieces. In the formulas you use brackets ONLY if you have more than
one of an ion. For example Al2(SO4)3 you need brackets because you have three sulfate ions. CaSO4
you do not need brackets because you only have one sulfate ion. Complete the five boxes below to
create polyatomic compounds. Provide formulas and names for each.
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Page 3 of 6
UNIT 03: Naming Compounds
BCLN CHEMISTRY 11 - Rev. July, 2015
Multivalent Ionic Compounds:
Some metals are able to form ions with more than one charge. These are called multivalent metals.
When naming an ionic compound you must always check your periodic table to determine if the
metal is multivalent. You will know a metal is multivalent if you see more than one charge. When
naming a compound with a multivalent metal you must use a roman numeral in the middle of the
name. For example FeCl2 is Iron (II) Chloride. Complete the five boxes below to create multivalent
ionic compounds. Provide formulas and names for each.
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Page 4 of 6
UNIT 03: Naming Compounds
BCLN CHEMISTRY 11 - Rev. July, 2015
Acids:
There is a simple way to recognize almost any acid. It's formula will begin with an H. However
there is a slight wrinkle. If the acid is organic (contains a C-H bond) then it's formula will end with
an H instead. If the acid is created from hygroden and a non-metal you put hydro at the start of it's
name. If it is created from a polyatomic ion then you make the following changes when naming the
acid. ATE becomes IC. ITE becomes OUS. Complete the four boxes below to create acids. Provide
names and formulas for each.
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Page 5 of 6
UNIT 03: Naming Compounds
BCLN CHEMISTRY 11 - Rev. July, 2015
Putting it all together:
Anything is possible on this page. For each compound you need to recognize what type it is (simple
ionic, polyatomic, multivalent, acid) and use the appropriate naming rules. Complete the four boxes
below to create compounds. Provide names and formulas for each.
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Formula:
Name:
Page 6 of 6