DATE:
NAME:
BLM 2-1
SCIENCE INQUIRY
CLASS:
Writing Names and Formulas of Binary Ionic
Compounds
Goal  Demonstrate your ability to write the names and formulas of chemical compounds and your ability to
distinguish between ionic and molecular compounds.
What to Do
In the spaces below, record your answers to the questions in Investigation 2-A: Writing Names and Formulas of
Binary Ionic Compounds.
1. Circle the binary compounds in the following list.
(a) HCl
(b) SO3
(c) MgCO3
(d) hydrogen sulfide
(e) sodium hydrogencarbonate
2. (a) Which types of elements combine to form binary ionic compounds?
(b) Which types of elements combine to form binary molecular compounds?
3. Identify whether each name or formula represents an ionic or molecular substance.
(a) sodium sulfide
(b) PCl3
(c) nitrogen dioxide
(d) zinc oxide
(e) MgI2
Copyright © 2004 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. Permission to edit and reproduce this page is granted to the purchaser for use in her/his classroom. McGraw-Hill Ryerson shall not
be held responsible for content if any revisions, additions, or deletions are made to this page.
DATE:
NAME:
BLM 2-1
CLASS:
Writing Names and Formulas of Binary Ionic
Compounds (continued)
SCIENCE INQUIRY
4. Complete the following table.
Element
Anion
Name
Symbol
Name
Symbol
fluorine
F
fluoride
F–
chloride
bromide
oxide
sulfide
nitride
5. Complete the following table.
Formula
Total charge
on cation(s)
Total charge
on anion(s)
Correct () or
incorrect (X)
formula?
Correct formula and
name of compound
(a) LiO
(b) MgO
(c) K2S
(d) AlBr3
(e) NaN3
Copyright © 2004 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. Permission to edit and reproduce this page is granted to the purchaser for use in her/his classroom. McGraw-Hill Ryerson shall not
be held responsible for content if any revisions, additions, or deletions are made to this page.
DATE:
BLM 2-1
SCIENCE INQUIRY
NAME:
CLASS:
Writing Names and Formulas of Binary Ionic
Compounds (continued)
6. Work through the examples on page 49 of your SCIENCEFOCUS 10 textbook. In point form, outline how to
determine the formula of a compound.
7. Complete the following table to write the formula of each compound.
Name of compound
Cation
Anion
Formula
(a) beryllium fluoride
(b) sodium nitride
(c) calcium sulfide
(d) aluminum chloride
(e) lithium oxide
(f) magnesium nitride
(g) gallium sulfide
(h) barium bromide
Copyright © 2004 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. Permission to edit and reproduce this page is granted to the purchaser for use in her/his classroom. McGraw-Hill Ryerson shall not
be held responsible for content if any revisions, additions, or deletions are made to this page.
DATE:
NAME:
BLM 2-1
SCIENCE INQUIRY
CLASS:
Writing Names and Formulas of Binary Ionic
Compounds (continued)
8. Copy the examples on page 49 of your textbook, and explain them to a partner so you will remember how they
work.
9. Complete the following table to find the charge on the cation in these compounds. Decide if your answers are
reasonable before you move on to step 10.
Compound
Charge on cation
(a) Cu2S
(b) Cr2O3
(c) PbO2
(d) NiCl2
(e) CrN
(f) HgO
10. Complete the following table by adding the missing Stock system names.
Formula
Ion
Name
FeCl3
Fe3+
iron(III) chloride
FeO
Fe2+
Cu2S
Cu+
PbO2
Pb4+
Copyright © 2004 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. Permission to edit and reproduce this page is granted to the purchaser for use in her/his classroom. McGraw-Hill Ryerson shall not
be held responsible for content if any revisions, additions, or deletions are made to this page.
DATE:
NAME:
BLM 2-1
CLASS:
Writing Names and Formulas of Binary Ionic
Compounds (continued)
SCIENCE INQUIRY
11. Complete the following table to write the chemical formula for each compound.
Name of compound
Cation
Anion
Chemical formula
(a) copper(I) oxide
(b) lead(IV) bromide
(c) iron(III) sulfide
(d) nickel(III) fluoride
(e) manganese(IV) sulfide
Analyze
1. Explain why you must use the Stock system to name ionic compounds containing transition metals. In which
cases do you not need to use the Stock system to name an ionic compound? Explain your answer.
2. There is something wrong with the name written beside each of the following compounds. In each case, explain
why the name is wrong, and then write the correct name.
Formula
Incorrect name
(a) Ti2O3
dititanium trioxide
(b) NaCl
sodium(I) chloride
(c) CuCl2
copper chloride
(d) NO2
nitrogen(IV) oxide
Explanation
Correct name
Copyright © 2004 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. Permission to edit and reproduce this page is granted to the purchaser for use in her/his classroom. McGraw-Hill Ryerson shall not
be held responsible for content if any revisions, additions, or deletions are made to this page.