Names and
Formulas for
Acids
Naming
Acids
Acids have their own unique system of
naming.
Acids have their own unique system of
naming. Once you are familiar with the
system of naming acids given their
formulas,
Acids have their own unique system of
naming. Once you are familiar with the
system of naming acids given their
formulas, it will be fairly easy for you
to determine the formula for an acid,
given the name.
Acids can be divided into two main
categories:
Acids can be divided into two main
categories:
1. Binary Acids
Acids can be divided into two main
categories:
1. Binary Acids
2. Acids Containing a Polyatomic Ion
Acids can be divided into two main
categories:
Contain 2 elements:
1. Binary Acids
Hydrogen, and a non-metal
Acids can be divided into two main
categories:
1. Binary Acids
2. Acids Containing a Polyatomic Ion
Contain Hydrogen and a
Polyatomic Ion
Acids can be divided into two main
categories:
1. Binary Acids
2. Acids Containing a Polyatomic Ion
Contain Hydrogen and a
Polyatomic Ion
Polyatomic Ions
Naming
Binary Acids
A Binary Acid consists of hydrogen,
and a non-metal.
Hydrogen
Non-metals
A Binary Acid is named as
follows:
A Binary Acid is named as
follows:
hydro
A Binary Acid is named as
follows:
hydro
The root
+ of the
non-metal
name
A Binary Acid is named as
follows:
hydro
The root
+ of the + “ic” acid
non-metal
name
Let’s do an example: Name the acid HF
Let’s do an example: Name the acid HF
Binary
Let’s do an example: Name the acid HF
hydro
+
The root of
the non-metal
name
+
“ic” acid
hydrofluoric acid
Let’s do an example: Name the acid HF
hydro
+
The root of
the non-metal
name
+
“ic” acid
hydrofluoric acid
Let’s do an example: Name the acid HF
hydro
+
The root of
the non-metal
name
+
“ic” acid
fluorine
hydrofluoric acid
Let’s do an example: Name the acid HF
hydro
+
The root of
the non-metal
name
+
“ic” acid
fluorine
hydrofluoric acid
Let’s do an example: Name the acid HF
hydro
+
The root of
the non-metal
name
+
“ic” acid
hydrofluoric acid
Let’s do an example: Name the acid HF
hydrofluoric acid
Let’s do another example: Name the acid H2S
hydro
+
The root of
the non-metal
name
+
“ic” acid
Let’s do another example: Name the acid H2S
hydro
+
The root of
the non-metal
name
+
“ic” acid
Binary
Acid
Let’s do another example: Name the acid H2S
hydro
+
The root of
the non-metal
name
+
“ic” acid
hydrosulfuric acid
Let’s do another example: Name the acid H2S
hydro
+
The root of
the non-metal
name
+
“ic” acid
hydrosulfuric acid
Let’s do another example: Name the acid H2S
hydro
+
The root of
the non-metal
name
+
“ic” acid
hydrosulfuric acid
Let’s do another example: Name the acid H2S
hydro
+
The root of
the non-metal
name
+
“ic” acid
hydrosulfuric acid
Let’s do another example: Name the acid H2S
hydro
+
The root of
the non-metal
name
+
“ic” acid
hydrosulfuric acid
Let’s do another example: Name the acid H2S
hydrosulfuric acid
An Acid with a polyatomic ion (PAI) is
named as follows:
An Acid with a polyatomic ion (PAI) is
named as follows:
1. If the name of the PAI ends in “ate”,
replace “ate” with “ic” and add “acid”
An Acid with a polyatomic ion (PAI) is
named as follows:
1. If the name of the PAI ends in “ate”,
replace “ate” with “ic” and add “acid”
2. If the name of the PAI ends in “ite”,
replace “ite” with “ous” and add
“acid”
Acids with Polyatomic Ions
ate  ic
ite  ous
+ acid
Use this to name acids
with polyatomic ions
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO4
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO4
H+ ClO4–
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO4
H+ ClO4–
perchlorate
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO4
H+ ClO4–
perchlorate
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO4
H+ ClO4–
perchlorate
Replace the “ate”
with “ic acid”
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO4
H+ ClO4–
perchlorate
perchlorate
Replace the “ate”
with “ic acid”
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO4
H+ ClO4–
perchlorate
perchloric
Replace the “ate”
with “ic acid”
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO4
H+ ClO4–
perchlorate
perchloric acid
Replace the “ate”
with “ic acid”
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO4
perchloric acid
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO
H+ ClO–
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO
H+ ClO–
hypochlorite
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO
H+ ClO–
hypochlorite
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO
H+ ClO–
hypochlorite
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO
H+ ClO–
hypochlorite
Replace the “ite”
with “ous acid”
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO
H+ ClO–
hypochlorite
hypochlorite
Replace the “ite”
with “ous acid”
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO
H+ ClO–
hypochlorite
hypochlorous
Replace the “ite”
with “ous acid”
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO
H+ ClO–
hypochlorite
hypochlorous acid
Replace the “ite”
with “ous acid”
Name the acid with the formula:
HClO
hypochlorous acid
Writing
Formulas for
Acids
Write the formula for hydroiodic acid
Writing Formulas for Acids
Is the acid binary or
does it have a PAI?
Binary
With a PAI
Locate the non-metal
and find the charge
on it’s anion
If its an “ic” acid, find the PAI ending in “ate”
If its an “ous” acid, find the PAI ending in “ite”
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Write the formula for hydroiodic acid
Because the name starts
with “hydro”, we know
that it’s a Binary Acid
Writing Formulas for Acids
Is the acid binary or
does it have a PAI?
Binary
With a PAI
Locate the non-metal
and find the charge
on it’s anion
If its an “ic” acid, find the PAI ending in “ate”
If its an “ous” acid, find the PAI ending in “ite”
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Write the formula for hydroiodic acid
Locate the non-metal
and find the charge
on it’s anion
The root “iod” corresponds
to the non-metal iodine
Write the formula for hydroiodic acid
Locate the non-metal
and find the charge
on it’s anion
The root “iod” corresponds
to the non-metal iodine
Write the formula for hydroiodic acid
Locate the non-metal
and find the charge
on it’s anion
The root “iod” corresponds
to the non-metal iodine
anion charge
Write the formula for hydroiodic acid
The root “iod” corresponds
to the non-metal iodine
I–
Iodide
anion
Writing Formulas for Acids
Is the acid binary or
does it have a PAI?
Binary
With a PAI
Locate the non-metal
and find the charge
on it’s anion
If its an “ic” acid, find the PAI ending in “ate”
If its an “ous” acid, find the PAI ending in “ite”
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Write the formula for hydroiodic acid
Requires 1
H+ ion
I–
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Write the formula for hydroiodic acid
ions
H+ I–
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Write the formula for hydroiodic acid
H+ I–
HI
Formula
Write the formula for hydroiodic acid
HI
Formula
Writing Formulas for Acids
Is the acid binary or
does it have a PAI?
Binary
With a PAI
Locate the non-metal
and find the charge
on it’s anion
If its an “ic” acid, find the PAI ending in “ate”
If its an “ous” acid, find the PAI ending in “ite”
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Write the formula for nitrous acid
Write the formula for nitrous acid
There is no prefix
“hydro” and the
name ends in “ous”
Write the formula for nitrous acid
There is no prefix
“hydro” and the
name ends in “ous”
This is an acid with a
polyatomic ion
Writing Formulas for Acids
Is the acid binary or
does it have a PAI?
Binary
With a PAI
Locate the non-metal
and find the charge
on it’s anion
If its an “ic” acid, find the PAI ending in “ate”
If its an “ous” acid, find the PAI ending in “ite”
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Writing Formulas for Acids
Is the acid binary or
does it have a PAI?
Binary
With a PAI
Locate the non-metal
and find the charge
on it’s anion
If its an “ic” acid, find the PAI ending in “ate”
If its an “ous” acid, find the PAI ending in “ite”
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
Write the formula for nitrous acid
Name ends in “ous”, so we find a
PAI ending in the letters “ite”
Write the formula for nitrous acid
Name ends in “ous”, so we find a
PAI ending in the letters “ite”
Writing Formulas for Acids
Is the acid binary or
does it have a PAI?
Binary
Locate the non-metal
and find the charge
on it’s anion
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
With a PAI
If its an “ic” acid, find the PAI ending in “ate”
If its an “ous” acid, find the PAI ending in “ite”
Add the number of H’s
needed to balance the
negative charge on this PAI
Write the formula for nitrous acid
requires 1 H+ ion
Write the formula for nitrous acid
H+
NO2–
ions
–1 charge requires 1 H+ ion
Write the formula for nitrous acid
HNO2 Formula
H+ NO2–
–1 charge requires 1 H+ ion
Write the formula for nitrous acid
HNO2
Formula
Writing Formulas for Acids
Is the acid binary or
does it have a PAI?
Binary
Locate the non-metal
and find the charge
on it’s anion
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
With a PAI
If its an “ic” acid, find the PAI ending in “ate”
If its an “ous” acid, find the PAI ending in “ite”
Add the number of H’s
needed to balance the
negative charge on this PAI
Writing Formulas for Acids
Is the acid binary or
does it have a PAI?
Binary
Locate the non-metal
and find the charge
on it’s anion
Add the number of
H’s needed to balance
this charge
With a PAI
If its an “ic” acid, find the PAI ending in “ate”
If its an “ous” acid, find the PAI ending in “ite”
Add the number of H’s
needed to balance the
negative charge on this PAI
This is found in
the Science 10
Data Booklet
This is found in
the Science 10
Data Booklet
or CH3COOH