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.
Om denne bunke
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.
Kort i denne bunke
Kort 1
Spørgsmål
In a neutral ionic formula unit, what must the total ionic charge be?
Svar
Zero. The positive and negative charges must cancel.
Kort 2
Spørgsmål
When naming a simple ionic compound, which ion is named first?
Svar
The cation, followed by the anion.
Kort 3
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for lithium fluoride using Li⁺ and F⁻.
Svar
LiF. One ion of each kind gives +1 − 1 = 0.
Kort 4
Spørgsmål
In CaCl₂, what does the subscript 2 count?
Svar
Two chloride ions for each calcium ion. It does not mean that each chloride ion has a charge of −2.
Kort 5
Spørgsmål
Name MgO using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.
Svar
Magnesium oxide. The ions are Mg²⁺ and O²⁻.
Kort 6
Spørgsmål
What is the smallest neutral ratio of Al³⁺ ions to O²⁻ ions?
Svar
Two Al³⁺ ions to three O²⁻ ions: +6 and −6 cancel.
Kort 7
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for magnesium bromide using Mg²⁺ and Br⁻.
Svar
MgBr₂. Two bromide ions balance one magnesium ion.
Kort 8
Spørgsmål
Name Na₂S using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.
Svar
Sodium sulfide. The sulfur anion is called sulfide.
Kort 9
Spørgsmål
Write the simplest formula for calcium oxide using Ca²⁺ and O²⁻.
Svar
CaO. Equal and opposite charges give a 1:1 ion ratio.
Kort 10
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for aluminum nitride using Al³⁺ and N³⁻.
Svar
AlN. One ion of each kind is neutral. Aluminium nitride is the same compound, with the British spelling.
Kort 11
Spørgsmål
Name Mg₃N₂ using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.
Svar
Magnesium nitride. Three Mg²⁺ ions balance two N³⁻ ions.
Kort 12
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for lithium oxide using Li⁺ and O²⁻.
Svar
Li₂O. Two lithium ions balance one oxide ion.
Kort 13
Spørgsmål
Name CaF₂ using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.
Svar
Calcium fluoride. This convention uses the ion names without a di- prefix for the two fluoride ions.
Kort 14
Spørgsmål
A student writes Mg₂O₂ for magnesium oxide, using Mg²⁺ and O²⁻. What is the simplest formula?
Svar
MgO. The 2:2 ion ratio is neutral but reduces to 1:1.
Kort 15
Spørgsmål
Name Al₂S₃ using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.
Svar
Aluminum sulfide (also spelled aluminium sulfide). Two Al³⁺ ions balance three S²⁻ ions.
Kort 16
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for sodium phosphide using Na⁺ and P³⁻.
Svar
Na₃P. Three sodium ions balance one phosphide ion.
Kort 17
Spørgsmål
Name LiF using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.
Svar
Lithium fluoride. Name the lithium cation first and the fluoride anion second.
Kort 18
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for magnesium oxide using Mg²⁺ and O²⁻.
Svar
MgO. The smallest neutral ratio is one magnesium ion to one oxide ion.
Kort 19
Spørgsmål
In the Stock name iron(III) chloride, what does III specify?
Svar
A +3 charge on each iron ion. For this monatomic ion, its charge equals its oxidation state; III is not an atom count.
Kort 20
Spørgsmål
Name FeCl₂ using Stock nomenclature. Chloride is Cl⁻.
Svar
Iron(II) chloride. Two chloride ions total −2, so the iron ion is Fe²⁺.
Kort 21
Spørgsmål
What is the charge on each copper ion in Cu₂O, taking oxide as O²⁻?
Svar
+1. The two copper ions together must supply +2, so each is Cu⁺.
Kort 22
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for tin(IV) oxide, using oxide O²⁻.
Svar
SnO₂. One Sn⁴⁺ ion balances two oxide ions; reduce a crossed 2:4 ratio to 1:2.
Kort 23
Spørgsmål
Name Fe₂O₃ using Stock nomenclature. Oxide is O²⁻.
Svar
Iron(III) oxide. Three oxide ions total −6; divided between two iron ions, that requires Fe³⁺.
Kort 24
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for copper(II) bromide, using bromide Br⁻.
Svar
CuBr₂. One Cu²⁺ ion needs two bromide ions.
Kort 25
Spørgsmål
Name SnCl₂ using Stock nomenclature. Chloride is Cl⁻.
Svar
Tin(II) chloride. Two Cl⁻ ions require one Sn²⁺ ion.
Kort 26
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for iron(II) chloride, using chloride Cl⁻.
Svar
FeCl₂. One Fe²⁺ ion balances two chloride ions.
Kort 27
Spørgsmål
Name CuO using Stock nomenclature. Oxide is O²⁻.
Svar
Copper(II) oxide. The 1:1 ratio requires Cu²⁺ to balance O²⁻.
Kort 28
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for iron(III) sulfide, using sulfide S²⁻.
Svar
Fe₂S₃. Two Fe³⁺ ions supply +6 and three sulfide ions supply −6.
Kort 29
Spørgsmål
Why is the name copper chloride insufficient to choose a single formula in introductory Stock nomenclature?
Svar
It omits the copper oxidation state. Copper(I) chloride is CuCl; copper(II) chloride is CuCl₂.
Kort 30
Spørgsmål
Name SnO₂ using Stock nomenclature. Oxide is O²⁻.
Svar
Tin(IV) oxide. Two oxide ions total −4, so the tin ion is Sn⁴⁺.
Kort 31
Spørgsmål
A student labels Fe₂O₃ as iron(II) oxide. Keeping the name iron(II) oxide, what formula should replace it?
Svar
FeO. Fe²⁺ and O²⁻ balance in a 1:1 ratio; Fe₂O₃ instead corresponds to iron(III) oxide.
Kort 32
Spørgsmål
Name CaCl₂ using the usual introductory fixed-charge convention.
Svar
Calcium chloride. Calcium is treated as Ca²⁺, so this convention omits the Roman numeral. An explicit oxidation-state name is not a different compound.
Kort 33
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for sodium nitrate using Na⁺ and NO₃⁻.
Svar
NaNO₃. One nitrate ion balances one sodium ion; keep the nitrate formula intact.
Kort 34
Spørgsmål
Name K₂CO₃. The polyatomic ion CO₃²⁻ is carbonate.
Svar
Potassium carbonate. Two K⁺ ions balance one carbonate ion.
Kort 35
Spørgsmål
When writing a conventional ionic formula, when do you put a polyatomic ion in parentheses?
Svar
When more than one of that whole ion is needed. Put the count outside the parentheses and leave the ion’s internal subscripts unchanged.
Kort 36
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for calcium hydroxide using Ca²⁺ and OH⁻.
Svar
Ca(OH)₂. Two whole hydroxide ions balance one calcium ion.
Kort 37
Spørgsmål
Name NH₄Cl. NH₄⁺ is ammonium.
Svar
Ammonium chloride. The cation is the whole NH₄⁺ ion, even though it contains no metal.
Kort 38
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for aluminum sulfate using Al³⁺ and SO₄²⁻.
Svar
Al₂(SO₄)₃. Two aluminum ions supply +6 and three intact sulfate ions supply −6.
Kort 39
Spørgsmål
Name Mg(NO₃)₂. NO₃⁻ is nitrate.
Svar
Magnesium nitrate. One Mg²⁺ ion is balanced by two nitrate ions.
Kort 40
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for ammonium phosphate using NH₄⁺ and PO₄³⁻.
Svar
(NH₄)₃PO₄. Three ammonium ions balance one phosphate ion; only ammonium needs parentheses.
Kort 41
Spørgsmål
How many whole hydroxide ions are represented in one formula unit of Ba(OH)₂?
Svar
Two hydroxide ions. The outer subscript multiplies the entire OH group, giving two O atoms and two H atoms.
Kort 42
Spørgsmål
Name Fe₂(SO₄)₃ using Stock nomenclature. SO₄²⁻ is sulfate.
Svar
Iron(III) sulfate. Three sulfate ions total −6, so each of the two iron ions has charge +3.
Kort 43
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for calcium nitrate using Ca²⁺ and NO₃⁻.
Svar
Ca(NO₃)₂. Two intact nitrate ions supply −2 to balance calcium’s +2.
Kort 44
Spørgsmål
Name (NH₄)₂SO₄. NH₄⁺ is ammonium and SO₄²⁻ is sulfate.
Svar
Ammonium sulfate. Two ammonium ions balance one sulfate ion.
Kort 45
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for magnesium phosphate using Mg²⁺ and PO₄³⁻.
Svar
Mg₃(PO₄)₂. Three magnesium ions and two phosphate ions give +6 and −6.
Kort 46
Spørgsmål
Name NaHCO₃. HCO₃⁻ is hydrogen carbonate, also called bicarbonate.
Svar
Sodium hydrogen carbonate, also called sodium bicarbonate. HCO₃⁻ is one intact anion.
Kort 47
Spørgsmål
Repair AlOH₃ as the formula for aluminum hydroxide, using Al³⁺ and OH⁻.
Svar
Al(OH)₃. Three whole hydroxide ions are needed. AlOH₃ fails to multiply the oxygen count along with the hydrogen count.
Kort 48
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for ammonium sulfite using NH₄⁺ and SO₃²⁻.
Svar
(NH₄)₂SO₃. Two ammonium ions balance one sulfite ion; sulfite retains its three oxygen atoms.
Kort 49
Spørgsmål
Name Cu(NO₃)₂ using Stock nomenclature. NO₃⁻ is nitrate.
Svar
Copper(II) nitrate. Two nitrate ions total −2, requiring Cu²⁺.
Kort 50
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for iron(III) sulfate, using sulfate SO₄²⁻.
Svar
Fe₂(SO₄)₃. Two Fe³⁺ ions balance three sulfate ions.
Kort 51
Spørgsmål
Repair K(CO₃)₂ as the formula for potassium carbonate, using K⁺ and CO₃²⁻.
Svar
K₂CO₃. Two potassium ions balance one carbonate ion. A single carbonate group needs no parentheses.
Kort 52
Spørgsmål
Can Mg(NO₃)₂ be simplified to MgNO₃ by removing the outer subscript? Use Mg²⁺ and NO₃⁻.
Svar
No. The ion ratio is already 1:2. Removing the outer 2 would leave total charge +1 instead of zero.
Kort 53
Spørgsmål
Name Ca(OH)₂. OH⁻ is hydroxide.
Svar
Calcium hydroxide. The two hydroxide ions balance one Ca²⁺ ion; the ion name stays hydroxide.
Kort 54
Spørgsmål
What is the charge on each copper ion in Cu₃(PO₄)₂, taking phosphate as PO₄³⁻?
Svar
+2. Two phosphate ions total −6, shared equally among three copper ions as +2 each.
Kort 55
Spørgsmål
Write the formula for sodium nitrite using Na⁺ and NO₂⁻.
Svar
NaNO₂. One nitrite ion balances one sodium ion. Keep NO₂⁻ intact; NO₃⁻ would be nitrate.
Kort 56
Spørgsmål
Repair NH₄SO₄ as the formula for ammonium sulfate, using NH₄⁺ and SO₄²⁻.
Svar
(NH₄)₂SO₄. Two whole ammonium ions are required to balance one sulfate ion; the 2 goes outside the ammonium parentheses.
56 kort
Ionic Compound Naming Flashcards: Names, Formulas & Charge Balance
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