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.

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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.

Tarjetas de este mazo

  1. Tarjeta 1

    Pregunta

    In a neutral ionic formula unit, what must the total ionic charge be?

    Respuesta

    Zero. The positive and negative charges must cancel.

  2. Tarjeta 2

    Pregunta

    When naming a simple ionic compound, which ion is named first?

    Respuesta

    The cation, followed by the anion.

  3. Tarjeta 3

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for lithium fluoride using Li⁺ and F⁻.

    Respuesta

    LiF. One ion of each kind gives +1 − 1 = 0.

  4. Tarjeta 4

    Pregunta

    In CaCl₂, what does the subscript 2 count?

    Respuesta

    Two chloride ions for each calcium ion. It does not mean that each chloride ion has a charge of −2.

  5. Tarjeta 5

    Pregunta

    Name MgO using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.

    Respuesta

    Magnesium oxide. The ions are Mg²⁺ and O²⁻.

  6. Tarjeta 6

    Pregunta

    What is the smallest neutral ratio of Al³⁺ ions to O²⁻ ions?

    Respuesta

    Two Al³⁺ ions to three O²⁻ ions: +6 and −6 cancel.

  7. Tarjeta 7

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for magnesium bromide using Mg²⁺ and Br⁻.

    Respuesta

    MgBr₂. Two bromide ions balance one magnesium ion.

  8. Tarjeta 8

    Pregunta

    Name Na₂S using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.

    Respuesta

    Sodium sulfide. The sulfur anion is called sulfide.

  9. Tarjeta 9

    Pregunta

    Write the simplest formula for calcium oxide using Ca²⁺ and O²⁻.

    Respuesta

    CaO. Equal and opposite charges give a 1:1 ion ratio.

  10. Tarjeta 10

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for aluminum nitride using Al³⁺ and N³⁻.

    Respuesta

    AlN. One ion of each kind is neutral. Aluminium nitride is the same compound, with the British spelling.

  11. Tarjeta 11

    Pregunta

    Name Mg₃N₂ using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.

    Respuesta

    Magnesium nitride. Three Mg²⁺ ions balance two N³⁻ ions.

  12. Tarjeta 12

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for lithium oxide using Li⁺ and O²⁻.

    Respuesta

    Li₂O. Two lithium ions balance one oxide ion.

  13. Tarjeta 13

    Pregunta

    Name CaF₂ using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.

    Respuesta

    Calcium fluoride. This convention uses the ion names without a di- prefix for the two fluoride ions.

  14. Tarjeta 14

    Pregunta

    A student writes Mg₂O₂ for magnesium oxide, using Mg²⁺ and O²⁻. What is the simplest formula?

    Respuesta

    MgO. The 2:2 ion ratio is neutral but reduces to 1:1.

  15. Tarjeta 15

    Pregunta

    Name Al₂S₃ using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.

    Respuesta

    Aluminum sulfide (also spelled aluminium sulfide). Two Al³⁺ ions balance three S²⁻ ions.

  16. Tarjeta 16

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for sodium phosphide using Na⁺ and P³⁻.

    Respuesta

    Na₃P. Three sodium ions balance one phosphide ion.

  17. Tarjeta 17

    Pregunta

    Name LiF using the usual fixed-charge ionic naming convention.

    Respuesta

    Lithium fluoride. Name the lithium cation first and the fluoride anion second.

  18. Tarjeta 18

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for magnesium oxide using Mg²⁺ and O²⁻.

    Respuesta

    MgO. The smallest neutral ratio is one magnesium ion to one oxide ion.

  19. Tarjeta 19

    Pregunta

    In the Stock name iron(III) chloride, what does III specify?

    Respuesta

    A +3 charge on each iron ion. For this monatomic ion, its charge equals its oxidation state; III is not an atom count.

  20. Tarjeta 20

    Pregunta

    Name FeCl₂ using Stock nomenclature. Chloride is Cl⁻.

    Respuesta

    Iron(II) chloride. Two chloride ions total −2, so the iron ion is Fe²⁺.

  21. Tarjeta 21

    Pregunta

    What is the charge on each copper ion in Cu₂O, taking oxide as O²⁻?

    Respuesta

    +1. The two copper ions together must supply +2, so each is Cu⁺.

  22. Tarjeta 22

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for tin(IV) oxide, using oxide O²⁻.

    Respuesta

    SnO₂. One Sn⁴⁺ ion balances two oxide ions; reduce a crossed 2:4 ratio to 1:2.

  23. Tarjeta 23

    Pregunta

    Name Fe₂O₃ using Stock nomenclature. Oxide is O²⁻.

    Respuesta

    Iron(III) oxide. Three oxide ions total −6; divided between two iron ions, that requires Fe³⁺.

  24. Tarjeta 24

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for copper(II) bromide, using bromide Br⁻.

    Respuesta

    CuBr₂. One Cu²⁺ ion needs two bromide ions.

  25. Tarjeta 25

    Pregunta

    Name SnCl₂ using Stock nomenclature. Chloride is Cl⁻.

    Respuesta

    Tin(II) chloride. Two Cl⁻ ions require one Sn²⁺ ion.

  26. Tarjeta 26

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for iron(II) chloride, using chloride Cl⁻.

    Respuesta

    FeCl₂. One Fe²⁺ ion balances two chloride ions.

  27. Tarjeta 27

    Pregunta

    Name CuO using Stock nomenclature. Oxide is O²⁻.

    Respuesta

    Copper(II) oxide. The 1:1 ratio requires Cu²⁺ to balance O²⁻.

  28. Tarjeta 28

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for iron(III) sulfide, using sulfide S²⁻.

    Respuesta

    Fe₂S₃. Two Fe³⁺ ions supply +6 and three sulfide ions supply −6.

  29. Tarjeta 29

    Pregunta

    Why is the name copper chloride insufficient to choose a single formula in introductory Stock nomenclature?

    Respuesta

    It omits the copper oxidation state. Copper(I) chloride is CuCl; copper(II) chloride is CuCl₂.

  30. Tarjeta 30

    Pregunta

    Name SnO₂ using Stock nomenclature. Oxide is O²⁻.

    Respuesta

    Tin(IV) oxide. Two oxide ions total −4, so the tin ion is Sn⁴⁺.

  31. Tarjeta 31

    Pregunta

    A student labels Fe₂O₃ as iron(II) oxide. Keeping the name iron(II) oxide, what formula should replace it?

    Respuesta

    FeO. Fe²⁺ and O²⁻ balance in a 1:1 ratio; Fe₂O₃ instead corresponds to iron(III) oxide.

  32. Tarjeta 32

    Pregunta

    Name CaCl₂ using the usual introductory fixed-charge convention.

    Respuesta

    Calcium chloride. Calcium is treated as Ca²⁺, so this convention omits the Roman numeral. An explicit oxidation-state name is not a different compound.

  33. Tarjeta 33

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for sodium nitrate using Na⁺ and NO₃⁻.

    Respuesta

    NaNO₃. One nitrate ion balances one sodium ion; keep the nitrate formula intact.

  34. Tarjeta 34

    Pregunta

    Name K₂CO₃. The polyatomic ion CO₃²⁻ is carbonate.

    Respuesta

    Potassium carbonate. Two K⁺ ions balance one carbonate ion.

  35. Tarjeta 35

    Pregunta

    When writing a conventional ionic formula, when do you put a polyatomic ion in parentheses?

    Respuesta

    When more than one of that whole ion is needed. Put the count outside the parentheses and leave the ion’s internal subscripts unchanged.

  36. Tarjeta 36

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for calcium hydroxide using Ca²⁺ and OH⁻.

    Respuesta

    Ca(OH)₂. Two whole hydroxide ions balance one calcium ion.

  37. Tarjeta 37

    Pregunta

    Name NH₄Cl. NH₄⁺ is ammonium.

    Respuesta

    Ammonium chloride. The cation is the whole NH₄⁺ ion, even though it contains no metal.

  38. Tarjeta 38

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for aluminum sulfate using Al³⁺ and SO₄²⁻.

    Respuesta

    Al₂(SO₄)₃. Two aluminum ions supply +6 and three intact sulfate ions supply −6.

  39. Tarjeta 39

    Pregunta

    Name Mg(NO₃)₂. NO₃⁻ is nitrate.

    Respuesta

    Magnesium nitrate. One Mg²⁺ ion is balanced by two nitrate ions.

  40. Tarjeta 40

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for ammonium phosphate using NH₄⁺ and PO₄³⁻.

    Respuesta

    (NH₄)₃PO₄. Three ammonium ions balance one phosphate ion; only ammonium needs parentheses.

  41. Tarjeta 41

    Pregunta

    How many whole hydroxide ions are represented in one formula unit of Ba(OH)₂?

    Respuesta

    Two hydroxide ions. The outer subscript multiplies the entire OH group, giving two O atoms and two H atoms.

  42. Tarjeta 42

    Pregunta

    Name Fe₂(SO₄)₃ using Stock nomenclature. SO₄²⁻ is sulfate.

    Respuesta

    Iron(III) sulfate. Three sulfate ions total −6, so each of the two iron ions has charge +3.

  43. Tarjeta 43

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for calcium nitrate using Ca²⁺ and NO₃⁻.

    Respuesta

    Ca(NO₃)₂. Two intact nitrate ions supply −2 to balance calcium’s +2.

  44. Tarjeta 44

    Pregunta

    Name (NH₄)₂SO₄. NH₄⁺ is ammonium and SO₄²⁻ is sulfate.

    Respuesta

    Ammonium sulfate. Two ammonium ions balance one sulfate ion.

  45. Tarjeta 45

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for magnesium phosphate using Mg²⁺ and PO₄³⁻.

    Respuesta

    Mg₃(PO₄)₂. Three magnesium ions and two phosphate ions give +6 and −6.

  46. Tarjeta 46

    Pregunta

    Name NaHCO₃. HCO₃⁻ is hydrogen carbonate, also called bicarbonate.

    Respuesta

    Sodium hydrogen carbonate, also called sodium bicarbonate. HCO₃⁻ is one intact anion.

  47. Tarjeta 47

    Pregunta

    Repair AlOH₃ as the formula for aluminum hydroxide, using Al³⁺ and OH⁻.

    Respuesta

    Al(OH)₃. Three whole hydroxide ions are needed. AlOH₃ fails to multiply the oxygen count along with the hydrogen count.

  48. Tarjeta 48

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for ammonium sulfite using NH₄⁺ and SO₃²⁻.

    Respuesta

    (NH₄)₂SO₃. Two ammonium ions balance one sulfite ion; sulfite retains its three oxygen atoms.

  49. Tarjeta 49

    Pregunta

    Name Cu(NO₃)₂ using Stock nomenclature. NO₃⁻ is nitrate.

    Respuesta

    Copper(II) nitrate. Two nitrate ions total −2, requiring Cu²⁺.

  50. Tarjeta 50

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for iron(III) sulfate, using sulfate SO₄²⁻.

    Respuesta

    Fe₂(SO₄)₃. Two Fe³⁺ ions balance three sulfate ions.

  51. Tarjeta 51

    Pregunta

    Repair K(CO₃)₂ as the formula for potassium carbonate, using K⁺ and CO₃²⁻.

    Respuesta

    K₂CO₃. Two potassium ions balance one carbonate ion. A single carbonate group needs no parentheses.

  52. Tarjeta 52

    Pregunta

    Can Mg(NO₃)₂ be simplified to MgNO₃ by removing the outer subscript? Use Mg²⁺ and NO₃⁻.

    Respuesta

    No. The ion ratio is already 1:2. Removing the outer 2 would leave total charge +1 instead of zero.

  53. Tarjeta 53

    Pregunta

    Name Ca(OH)₂. OH⁻ is hydroxide.

    Respuesta

    Calcium hydroxide. The two hydroxide ions balance one Ca²⁺ ion; the ion name stays hydroxide.

  54. Tarjeta 54

    Pregunta

    What is the charge on each copper ion in Cu₃(PO₄)₂, taking phosphate as PO₄³⁻?

    Respuesta

    +2. Two phosphate ions total −6, shared equally among three copper ions as +2 each.

  55. Tarjeta 55

    Pregunta

    Write the formula for sodium nitrite using Na⁺ and NO₂⁻.

    Respuesta

    NaNO₂. One nitrite ion balances one sodium ion. Keep NO₂⁻ intact; NO₃⁻ would be nitrate.

  56. Tarjeta 56

    Pregunta

    Repair NH₄SO₄ as the formula for ammonium sulfate, using NH₄⁺ and SO₄²⁻.

    Respuesta

    (NH₄)₂SO₄. Two whole ammonium ions are required to balance one sulfate ion; the 2 goes outside the ammonium parentheses.

Illustrated study cards with teal plus and coral minus signs, linked by a decorative loop to suggest charge balance.

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Ionic Compound Naming Flashcards: Names, Formulas & Charge Balance

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