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Chemical Naming Practice Quiz

Sharpen your chemical nomenclature and compound naming skills

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 10
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art representing a high school chemistry quiz on chemical naming

What is the correct common name for H2O?
Water
Hydrogen oxide
Dihydrogen monoxide
Oxidane
Water is the universally accepted name for H2O despite the fact that other technically correct names exist. The simplest and most recognized term is water.
What is the correct formula for sodium chloride?
NaCl
NCl
NaCl2
Na2Cl
Sodium chloride is composed of one sodium ion and one chloride ion, which results in the 1:1 formula NaCl. The other formulas do not correctly represent the ionic ratio.
Which type of compound is NaCl?
Ionic compound
Covalent compound
Metallic compound
Molecular compound
NaCl is formed by the electrostatic attraction between sodium cations and chloride anions, classifying it as an ionic compound. Covalent compounds form via sharing of electrons, which is not the case with NaCl.
What does the prefix 'mono-' indicate in chemical nomenclature?
One
Two
Many
None
The prefix 'mono-' is used to indicate the presence of one atom of an element in a compound. It is a fundamental part of naming binary compounds even though it is often omitted for the first element.
Which name correctly describes CO2 following covalent compound nomenclature?
Carbon dioxide
Carbon(IV) oxide
Dicarbon monoxide
Carbon oxide
CO2 is named carbon dioxide because it contains one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms, with the prefix 'di-' indicating two oxygens. This straightforward naming avoids ambiguity and adheres to the standard covalent naming rules.
What is the IUPAC name for Fe2O3?
Iron(III) oxide
Iron(II) oxide
Dioxidoferrum
Ferric oxide
Fe2O3 is named iron(III) oxide because each iron atom carries a +3 oxidation state. The Roman numeral III explicitly indicates the oxidation state, eliminating confusion about the compound's composition.
How is the oxidation state of a transition metal indicated in a compound's name?
Using Roman numerals in parentheses after the metal's name
Using Greek prefixes before the metal's name
By adding the suffix '-ide' to the metal's name
Using numbers before the compound's formula
Transition metals can have multiple oxidation states, so placing Roman numerals in parentheses after the metal's name clarifies its charge. This convention is widely used in systematic nomenclature to ensure precision.
Which name correctly follows systematic nomenclature for CuO?
Copper(II) oxide
Copper oxide
Cupric oxide
Copper(I) oxide
In CuO, copper exhibits a +2 oxidation state, which is accurately indicated by the Roman numeral II in the name copper(II) oxide. This method of naming eliminates any ambiguity regarding the metal's valence.
What is the proper name for NH4NO3?
Ammonium nitrate
Nitrogen ammonium
Ammonium nitrite
Nitrous ammonium
NH4NO3 is composed of the ammonium cation (NH4+) and the nitrate anion (NO3-), making the correct name ammonium nitrate. This nomenclature follows the standard ionic compound naming convention.
Using covalent nomenclature, what is the correct name for PCl5?
Phosphorus pentachloride
Pentachlorophosphorus
Phosphor chloride
Phosphorus chloride
The name phosphorus pentachloride is derived by using the Greek prefix 'penta-' to indicate five chlorine atoms combined with phosphorus. This systematic approach clearly defines the compound's molecular structure.
What is the proper name for an aqueous solution of HCl?
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrogen chloride
Chloric acid
Acid chloride
When HCl is dissolved in water, it is known as hydrochloric acid. This name differentiates its aqueous state from the gaseous form, hydrogen chloride, reflecting its acid properties in solution.
What is the systematic name for CCl4?
Carbon tetrachloride
Tetrachloromethane
Carbon(IV) chloride
Methane tetrachloride
CCl4 is named carbon tetrachloride by indicating one carbon atom attached to four chlorine atoms. This systematic nomenclature precisely reflects the composition of the molecule.
Following binary covalent naming rules, what is the correct name for NCl3?
Nitrogen trichloride
Mononitrogen trichloride
Trichloronitrogen
Nitro trichloride
The compound NCl3 is named nitrogen trichloride, where the prefix 'tri-' indicates the presence of three chlorine atoms. The naming follows the rule that the prefix 'mono-' is typically omitted for the first element when only one atom is present.
Which name corresponds with the polyatomic ion SO4^2−?
Sulfate
Sulphite
Sulfite ion
Thiosulfate
SO4^2− is recognized as the sulfate ion. The '-ate' suffix is used for the ion with a higher number of oxygen atoms compared to its related '-ite' ion.
What is the systematic name for the acid H3PO4?
Phosphoric acid
Phosphorous acid
Trihydrogen phosphate
Phosphate acid
H3PO4 is named phosphoric acid, which is derived from the phosphate ion by replacing the '-ate' suffix with '-ic' and adding 'acid'. This systematic change distinguishes it from other phosphorus-containing acids.
What is the correct name for the compound K2Cr2O7?
Potassium dichromate
Dipotassium dichromate
Potassium bichromate
Potassium chromate
K2Cr2O7 is correctly named potassium dichromate because it contains the dichromate ion (Cr2O7^2−) combined with potassium cations. The naming convention for ionic compounds does not require prefixes for the cation count.
Which is the correct systematic name for CrO3?
Chromium(VI) oxide
Chromium trioxide
Chromium oxide
CrO3 oxide
CrO3 contains chromium in the +6 oxidation state, thus it is systematically named chromium(VI) oxide. The Roman numeral explicitly informs about the metal's oxidation state in the compound.
In polyatomic ion nomenclature, which suffix is used for an ion with one fewer oxygen atom than its corresponding 'ate' ion?
ite
ate
per
hypo
The suffix 'ite' is designated for polyatomic ions that contain one fewer oxygen atom than the related 'ate' ion. This naming convention helps distinguish between ions with different oxygen content.
What is the common name for H2O2 using traditional nomenclature?
Hydrogen peroxide
Dihydrogen dioxide
Hydroperoxide
Oxywater
H2O2 is commonly referred to as hydrogen peroxide due to its composition of two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms forming a peroxide linkage. This name is widely recognized and distinguishes it from water.
What is the correct systematic name for Al2(SO4)3?
Aluminum sulfate
Aluminum sulfide
Aluminum sulfate trihydrate
Aluminum oxysulfate
Al2(SO4)3 is named aluminum sulfate, reflecting the combination of aluminum ions and sulfate ions. The systematic nomenclature for ionic compounds does not use multiplicative prefixes for cations, making aluminum sulfate the correct name.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand fundamental principles and rules of chemical nomenclature.
  2. Identify and correctly name ionic and covalent compounds.
  3. Apply systematic naming conventions to various chemical formulas.
  4. Analyze molecular structures to determine appropriate chemical names.
  5. Differentiate between common and systematic naming methods.

Chemical Naming Quiz & Review Cheat Sheet

  1. Master ionic compound names - Ionic compounds pair positive and negative ions, and you'll use Roman numerals to show metals' variable charges. For example, FeCl₂ becomes iron(II) chloride, making that +2 charge crystal clear. Once you nail this, complex salts will seem like child's play. OpenStax: Chemical Nomenclature
  2. Decode hydrate prefixes - When water cozies up to a salt, prefixes like "mono-," "di-," and "penta-" tell you exactly how many H₂O molecules are attached. You'll see copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate written as CuSO₄·5H₂O and instantly know there are five water guests. Memorizing these makes writing and reading hydrate formulas a breeze. OpenStax: Chemical Nomenclature
  3. Use Greek prefixes for molecular compounds - Covalent molecules use "mono-," "di-," "tri-" and beyond to show atom counts, so CO₂ is carbon dioxide and SO₃ is sulfur trioxide. The first element drops "mono-" if there's only one, but the second always keeps its prefix. Get these down and you'll speak molecular names like a pro. OpenStax: Chemical Nomenclature
  4. Recognize acid naming rules - Binary acids add "hydro-" plus an "-ic" ending (HCl → hydrochloric acid), while oxyacids swap "-ate" for "-ic" and "-ite" for "-ous" (H₂SO₄ → sulfuric acid; H₂SO₃ → sulfurous acid). These patterns keep your acid vocabulary tidy and predictable. Practice a few and you'll ace any acid-name challenge. OpenStax: Chemical Nomenclature
  5. Memorize common polyatomic ions - Polyatomic ions like sulfate (SO₄²❻) and nitrate (NO₃❻) show up everywhere, so knowing their formulas and charges is key to naming compounds like Na₂SO₄ and KNO₃. Flashcards are your friend here - quiz yourself until these groups stick. Soon you'll breeze through even complex salts. OpenStax: Chemical Nomenclature
  6. Practice covalent naming drills - Write rules for prefixes, drop "mono-" on the first element, and change the second element's ending to "-ide" (e.g., N₂O₄ is dinitrogen tetroxide). Each practice round builds speed and accuracy. Before you know it, you'll name molecules faster than you can write their formulas. OpenStax: Chemical Nomenclature
  7. Spot "per-" and "hypo-" in oxyanions - Some oxyanions get extra prefix flair: "per-" for one more oxygen (ClO₄❻ is perchlorate) and "hypo-" for one fewer (ClO❻ is hypochlorite). These little tweaks make a big difference in formula and name. Mastering them prevents mix-ups in lab and exams. OpenStax: Chemical Nomenclature
  8. Learn organic naming basics - Organic molecules follow prefixes based on carbon count: "meth-" for one, "eth-" for two, "prop-" for three, and so on (CH₄ is methane; C₂H₆ is ethane). Suffixes like "-ane," "-ene," and "-yne" tell you about bonding type. With these in hand, you'll decode hydrocarbon names in no time. OpenStax: Chemical Nomenclature
  9. Apply Cahn - Ingold - Prelog rules - Assign R/S descriptors at chiral centers and E/Z for double bonds by ranking substituents by atomic number. These priority rules ensure you name stereoisomers unambiguously. A quick practice with a few molecules will have you labeling configurations like a stereochemistry whiz. Wikipedia: Cahn - Ingold - Prelog Priority Rules
  10. Strengthen with quizzes and exercises - Regular practice cements naming rules, builds speed, and highlights gaps in your understanding. Mix in flashcards, timed drills, and sample problems to stay sharp. By exam day, you'll name compounds confidently and accurately under any time crunch! OpenStax: Chemical Nomenclature
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