Ionic Compound Naming Flashcards: Names, Formulas & Charge Balance
Practice ionic compound naming with 56 English flashcards on neutral formulas, Roman numerals, polyatomic-ion parentheses, and common errors.
Sobre aquesta baralla
Practice ionic compound names and neutral formulas with 56 English flashcards. This focused deck is for high-school and introductory-college learners who know basic ions and want to apply charge balance consistently.
The cards practice names to formulas, selected formulas back to names, metal-charge inference, one polyatomic-group count, and short repairs of incorrect formulas or missing naming information. Ion charges and polyatomic-ion names are supplied where the target is applying a rule. This is compound-naming practice rather than a table of isolated ions; use the polyatomic ion flashcards for that prerequisite.
The sequence begins with neutrality, cation-first order, subscripts, and the smallest whole-number ratio of intact ions. Fixed-charge binary salts come next, followed by iron, copper, and tin Stock names. Polyatomic groups and ammonium then lead into mixed formula, naming, and error-repair prompts. Selected reverse directions and closely related variants are separated. Every card carries the ionic-naming tag; the review scheduler handles longer-term spacing.
Names follow the usual introductory convention: fixed-charge cations without Roman numerals, variable-charge monatomic metals with Stock Roman numerals, and familiar polyatomic-ion names. Aluminum and aluminium are accepted spelling variants; sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are both accepted. This convention does not exhaust all valid systematic names. Arbitrary name-to-example prompts and exhaustive reversals are omitted because they add ambiguity or repetition. Covalent naming, acids, hydrates, organic compounds, coordination complexes, peroxide and mercury(I) special cases, reactions, and solubility are outside this deck. No full-course or examination alignment is claimed.
The questions, explanations, order, and metadata were written independently with AI assistance. Naming and ion facts were checked against Purdue University’s ionic-naming rules and ion reference tables. No competitor cards, source exercise wording, examination questions, or source diagrams were copied. Reference works retain their own rights, and chemical facts are not claimed as proprietary. Original material, including the AI-generated decorative charge-symbol cover, is dedicated under CC0 1.0 to the extent applicable rights exist. This is independent study material without institutional endorsement.
Targetes d'aquesta baralla
Targeta 1
Pregunta
In a neutral ionic formula unit, what must the total ionic charge be?
Resposta
Zero. The positive and negative charges must cancel.
Targeta 2
Pregunta
When naming a simple ionic compound, which ion is named first?
Resposta
The cation, followed by the anion.
Targeta 3
Pregunta
Write the formula for lithium fluoride using Li⁺ and F⁻.
Resposta
LiF. One ion of each kind gives +1 − 1 = 0.
Targeta 4
Pregunta
In CaCl₂, what does the subscript 2 count?
Resposta
Two chloride ions for each calcium ion. It does not mean that each chloride ion has a charge of −2.
Targeta 5
Pregunta
Name MgO using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.
Resposta
Magnesium oxide. The ions are Mg²⁺ and O²⁻.
Targeta 6
Pregunta
What is the smallest neutral ratio of Al³⁺ ions to O²⁻ ions?
Resposta
Two Al³⁺ ions to three O²⁻ ions: +6 and −6 cancel.
Targeta 7
Pregunta
Write the formula for magnesium bromide using Mg²⁺ and Br⁻.
Resposta
MgBr₂. Two bromide ions balance one magnesium ion.
Targeta 8
Pregunta
Name Na₂S using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.
Resposta
Sodium sulfide. The sulfur anion is called sulfide.
Targeta 9
Pregunta
Write the simplest formula for calcium oxide using Ca²⁺ and O²⁻.
Resposta
CaO. Equal and opposite charges give a 1:1 ion ratio.
Targeta 10
Pregunta
Write the formula for aluminum nitride using Al³⁺ and N³⁻.
Resposta
AlN. One ion of each kind is neutral. Aluminium nitride is the same compound, with the British spelling.
Targeta 11
Pregunta
Name Mg₃N₂ using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.
Resposta
Magnesium nitride. Three Mg²⁺ ions balance two N³⁻ ions.
Targeta 12
Pregunta
Write the formula for lithium oxide using Li⁺ and O²⁻.
Resposta
Li₂O. Two lithium ions balance one oxide ion.
Targeta 13
Pregunta
Name CaF₂ using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.
Resposta
Calcium fluoride. This convention uses the ion names without a di- prefix for the two fluoride ions.
Targeta 14
Pregunta
A student writes Mg₂O₂ for magnesium oxide, using Mg²⁺ and O²⁻. What is the simplest formula?
Resposta
MgO. The 2:2 ion ratio is neutral but reduces to 1:1.
Targeta 15
Pregunta
Name Al₂S₃ using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.
Resposta
Aluminum sulfide (also spelled aluminium sulfide). Two Al³⁺ ions balance three S²⁻ ions.
Targeta 16
Pregunta
Write the formula for sodium phosphide using Na⁺ and P³⁻.
Resposta
Na₃P. Three sodium ions balance one phosphide ion.
Targeta 17
Pregunta
Name LiF using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.
Resposta
Lithium fluoride. Name the lithium cation first and the fluoride anion second.
Targeta 18
Pregunta
Write the formula for magnesium oxide using Mg²⁺ and O²⁻.
Resposta
MgO. The smallest neutral ratio is one magnesium ion to one oxide ion.
Targeta 19
Pregunta
In the Stock name iron(III) chloride, what does III specify?
Resposta
A +3 charge on each iron ion. For this monatomic ion, its charge equals its oxidation state; III is not an atom count.
Targeta 20
Pregunta
Name FeCl₂ using Stock nomenclature. Chloride is Cl⁻.
Resposta
Iron(II) chloride. Two chloride ions total −2, so the iron ion is Fe²⁺.
Targeta 21
Pregunta
What is the charge on each copper ion in Cu₂O, taking oxide as O²⁻?
Resposta
+1. The two copper ions together must supply +2, so each is Cu⁺.
Targeta 22
Pregunta
Write the formula for tin(IV) oxide, using oxide O²⁻.
Resposta
SnO₂. One Sn⁴⁺ ion balances two oxide ions; reduce a crossed 2:4 ratio to 1:2.
Targeta 23
Pregunta
Name Fe₂O₃ using Stock nomenclature. Oxide is O²⁻.
Resposta
Iron(III) oxide. Three oxide ions total −6; divided between two iron ions, that requires Fe³⁺.
Targeta 24
Pregunta
Write the formula for copper(II) bromide, using bromide Br⁻.
Resposta
CuBr₂. One Cu²⁺ ion needs two bromide ions.
Targeta 25
Pregunta
Name SnCl₂ using Stock nomenclature. Chloride is Cl⁻.
Resposta
Tin(II) chloride. Two Cl⁻ ions require one Sn²⁺ ion.
Targeta 26
Pregunta
Write the formula for iron(II) chloride, using chloride Cl⁻.
Resposta
FeCl₂. One Fe²⁺ ion balances two chloride ions.
Targeta 27
Pregunta
Name CuO using Stock nomenclature. Oxide is O²⁻.
Resposta
Copper(II) oxide. The 1:1 ratio requires Cu²⁺ to balance O²⁻.
Targeta 28
Pregunta
Write the formula for iron(III) sulfide, using sulfide S²⁻.
Resposta
Fe₂S₃. Two Fe³⁺ ions supply +6 and three sulfide ions supply −6.
Targeta 29
Pregunta
Why is the name copper chloride insufficient to choose a single formula in introductory Stock nomenclature?
Resposta
It omits the copper oxidation state. Copper(I) chloride is CuCl; copper(II) chloride is CuCl₂.
Targeta 30
Pregunta
Name SnO₂ using Stock nomenclature. Oxide is O²⁻.
Resposta
Tin(IV) oxide. Two oxide ions total −4, so the tin ion is Sn⁴⁺.
Targeta 31
Pregunta
A student labels Fe₂O₃ as iron(II) oxide. Keeping the name iron(II) oxide, what formula should replace it?
Resposta
FeO. Fe²⁺ and O²⁻ balance in a 1:1 ratio; Fe₂O₃ instead corresponds to iron(III) oxide.
Targeta 32
Pregunta
Name CaCl₂ using the usual introductory fixed-charge convention.
Resposta
Calcium chloride. Calcium is treated as Ca²⁺, so this convention omits the Roman numeral. An explicit oxidation-state name is not a different compound.
Targeta 33
Pregunta
Write the formula for sodium nitrate using Na⁺ and NO₃⁻.
Resposta
NaNO₃. One nitrate ion balances one sodium ion; keep the nitrate formula intact.
Targeta 34
Pregunta
Name K₂CO₃. The polyatomic ion CO₃²⁻ is carbonate.
Resposta
Potassium carbonate. Two K⁺ ions balance one carbonate ion.
Targeta 35
Pregunta
When writing a conventional ionic formula, when do you put a polyatomic ion in parentheses?
Resposta
When more than one of that whole ion is needed. Put the count outside the parentheses and leave the ion’s internal subscripts unchanged.
Targeta 36
Pregunta
Write the formula for calcium hydroxide using Ca²⁺ and OH⁻.
Resposta
Ca(OH)₂. Two whole hydroxide ions balance one calcium ion.
Targeta 37
Pregunta
Name NH₄Cl. NH₄⁺ is ammonium.
Resposta
Ammonium chloride. The cation is the whole NH₄⁺ ion, even though it contains no metal.
Targeta 38
Pregunta
Write the formula for aluminum sulfate using Al³⁺ and SO₄²⁻.
Resposta
Al₂(SO₄)₃. Two aluminum ions supply +6 and three intact sulfate ions supply −6.
Targeta 39
Pregunta
Name Mg(NO₃)₂. NO₃⁻ is nitrate.
Resposta
Magnesium nitrate. One Mg²⁺ ion is balanced by two nitrate ions.
Targeta 40
Pregunta
Write the formula for ammonium phosphate using NH₄⁺ and PO₄³⁻.
Resposta
(NH₄)₃PO₄. Three ammonium ions balance one phosphate ion; only ammonium needs parentheses.
Targeta 41
Pregunta
How many whole hydroxide ions are represented in one formula unit of Ba(OH)₂?
Resposta
Two hydroxide ions. The outer subscript multiplies the entire OH group, giving two O atoms and two H atoms.
Targeta 42
Pregunta
Name Fe₂(SO₄)₃ using Stock nomenclature. SO₄²⁻ is sulfate.
Resposta
Iron(III) sulfate. Three sulfate ions total −6, so each of the two iron ions has charge +3.
Targeta 43
Pregunta
Write the formula for calcium nitrate using Ca²⁺ and NO₃⁻.
Resposta
Ca(NO₃)₂. Two intact nitrate ions supply −2 to balance calcium’s +2.
Targeta 44
Pregunta
Name (NH₄)₂SO₄. NH₄⁺ is ammonium and SO₄²⁻ is sulfate.
Resposta
Ammonium sulfate. Two ammonium ions balance one sulfate ion.
Targeta 45
Pregunta
Write the formula for magnesium phosphate using Mg²⁺ and PO₄³⁻.
Resposta
Mg₃(PO₄)₂. Three magnesium ions and two phosphate ions give +6 and −6.
Targeta 46
Pregunta
Name NaHCO₃. HCO₃⁻ is hydrogen carbonate, also called bicarbonate.
Resposta
Sodium hydrogen carbonate, also called sodium bicarbonate. HCO₃⁻ is one intact anion.
Targeta 47
Pregunta
Repair AlOH₃ as the formula for aluminum hydroxide, using Al³⁺ and OH⁻.
Resposta
Al(OH)₃. Three whole hydroxide ions are needed. AlOH₃ fails to multiply the oxygen count along with the hydrogen count.
Targeta 48
Pregunta
Write the formula for ammonium sulfite using NH₄⁺ and SO₃²⁻.
Resposta
(NH₄)₂SO₃. Two ammonium ions balance one sulfite ion; sulfite retains its three oxygen atoms.
Targeta 49
Pregunta
Name Cu(NO₃)₂ using Stock nomenclature. NO₃⁻ is nitrate.
Resposta
Copper(II) nitrate. Two nitrate ions total −2, requiring Cu²⁺.
Targeta 50
Pregunta
Write the formula for iron(III) sulfate, using sulfate SO₄²⁻.
Resposta
Fe₂(SO₄)₃. Two Fe³⁺ ions balance three sulfate ions.
Targeta 51
Pregunta
Repair K(CO₃)₂ as the formula for potassium carbonate, using K⁺ and CO₃²⁻.
Resposta
K₂CO₃. Two potassium ions balance one carbonate ion. A single carbonate group needs no parentheses.
Targeta 52
Pregunta
Can Mg(NO₃)₂ be simplified to MgNO₃ by removing the outer subscript? Use Mg²⁺ and NO₃⁻.
Resposta
No. The ion ratio is already 1:2. Removing the outer 2 would leave total charge +1 instead of zero.
Targeta 53
Pregunta
Name Ca(OH)₂. OH⁻ is hydroxide.
Resposta
Calcium hydroxide. The two hydroxide ions balance one Ca²⁺ ion; the ion name stays hydroxide.
Targeta 54
Pregunta
What is the charge on each copper ion in Cu₃(PO₄)₂, taking phosphate as PO₄³⁻?
Resposta
+2. Two phosphate ions total −6, shared equally among three copper ions as +2 each.
Targeta 55
Pregunta
Write the formula for sodium nitrite using Na⁺ and NO₂⁻.
Resposta
NaNO₂. One nitrite ion balances one sodium ion. Keep NO₂⁻ intact; NO₃⁻ would be nitrate.
Targeta 56
Pregunta
Repair NH₄SO₄ as the formula for ammonium sulfate, using NH₄⁺ and SO₄²⁻.
Resposta
(NH₄)₂SO₄. Two whole ammonium ions are required to balance one sulfate ion; the 2 goes outside the ammonium parentheses.
56 targetes
Ionic Compound Naming Flashcards: Names, Formulas & Charge Balance
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