Naming Ionic Compounds

1. The metal is written first, the nonmetal second.

2. The name of the nonmetal will be altered, the last syllable will be changed to end in 'ide'.

Writing Ionic Formula

• Writing the chemical formula of ionic compounds using atomic abbreviations from the periodic table.

• Subscripts are used to denote how many of each atom is in the ionic compound.

1. Record the abbreviation of the metal, followed by the nonmetal.

2. Subscripts - determined by the charge of each ion - the overall charge of the compound must be neutral.

3. Subscripts go to the bottom-right of the atom they are assigned to.

Example :

Sodium + Nitrogen

Na + N → Na⁺ + N^3- (need 3 Na⁺ to balance the charge on N^3- ) → Na₃N

Name: Sodium nitride