Naming Binary Compounds

Coumpounds containing only two elements are called binary compounds. The first word in the name of the element is the one having the positive valence. The second word is formed by adding "ide" to the root name of the element having the negative valence.

Examples:

1. CaCl2 Calcium chloride

2. MgI2 Magnesium iodide

3. KBr Potassium bromide

Your turn!

1. HF

2. K2O

3. ZnO

4. Al2O3

5. sodium iodide

6. magnesium nitride

7. sodium sulphide

8. barium phosphide

 

Check out the next page of tutorial!

Back to table of contents

Applewood Science Department
Science Lessons OnLine
Applewood Homepage