Ionic Compounds and Ion Naming

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing basic concepts of ion formation, atomic vs polyatomic ions, naming conventions, and writing chemical formulas for ionic compounds.

Ion

An atom or molecule that has acquired an electric charge by gaining or losing electrons.

Cation

A positively charged ion.

Anion

A negatively charged ion.

Atomic Ion

An ion consisting of only a single atom.

Polyatomic Ion

An ion composed of two or more atoms bound together.

Naming Positive Metal Ions

Formed by taking the name of the element and adding the word ion (e.g., sodium ion).

Naming Negative Ions

Formed by taking the Latin name of the element and adding the suffix -ide ion (e.g., chloride ion).

Hydroxide Ion

A polyatomic anion with the chemical formula $\text{OH}^-$.

Phosphate Ion

A polyatomic anion with the chemical formula $\text{PO}_4^{3-}$.

Ammonium Ion

A polyatomic cation with the chemical formula $\text{NH}_4^+$.

Hydrogen Phosphate Ion

A polyatomic anion with the chemical formula $\text{HPO}_4^{2-}$.

Dihydrogen Phosphate Ion

A polyatomic anion with the chemical formula $\text{H}_2\text{PO}_4^-$.

Carbonate Ion

A polyatomic anion with the chemical formula $\text{CO}_3^{2-}$.

Hydrogen Carbonate Ion

A polyatomic anion with the chemical formula $\text{HCO}_3^-$.

Nitrate Ion

A polyatomic anion with the chemical formula $\text{NO}_3^-$.

Oxonium Ion

A polyatomic cation with the chemical formula $\text{H}_3\text{O}^+$.

Peroxide Ion

A polyatomic oxygen anion.

Charge Neutrality of Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are uncharged overall because they contain equal amounts of positive and negative charges.

Ionic Formula Order

When writing formulas for ionic compounds, the positive ion is written first, followed by the negative ion.

Magnesium Fluoride Formula

A compound requiring two fluoride ions ($\text{F}^-$) for every magnesium ion ($\text{Mg}^{2+}$), giving the formula $\text{MgF}_2$.

Potassium Nitrate Formula

A compound composed of potassium ions ($\text{K}^+$) and nitrate ions ($\text{NO}_3^-$), giving the formula $\text{KNO}_3$.