Alkali Metals and Related Ions – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, metalloids, noble gases, halogens, polyatomic ions, common acids, diatomic elements, and principles of nomenclature as presented in Page 1 notes.

Alkali Metals

Group 1 metals that form +1 cations (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs); highly reactive; located in Group 1 of the periodic table.

Nomenclature (ions and acids)

Knowledge of names, symbols/formulas, and charges for ions and acids; ability to name ionic or molecular compounds constructed from these species; common charges shown in parentheses.

Metalloids

Elements with properties between metals and nonmetals (e.g., B, Si, Ge, As, Sb, Te, At); located along the metal–nonmetal border on the periodic table.

Noble Gases

Group 18 nonmetals (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Rn); generally inert under standard conditions.

Halogens

Group 17 nonmetals (F, Cl, Br, I, At); form -1 anions (halide ions) and exist as diatomic molecules at room temperature.

Alkaline Earth Metals

Group 2 metals that form +2 cations (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra); reactive but typically less than alkali metals.

Polyatomic Ions

Ions composed of multiple atoms with a single overall charge; examples include NH4+, CN–, OH–, NO2–, NO3–, SO4^2–, SO3^2–, CO3^2–, CH3COO–, ClO4–, ClO3–, ClO2–, ClO–, HCO3–, etc.

Ammonium

NH4+; polyatomic cation.

Cyanide

CN–; polyatomic anion.

Hydroxide

OH–; polyatomic anion; common in bases.

Nitrate

NO3–; polyatomic anion.

Nitrite

NO2–; polyatomic anion.

Sulfate

SO4^2–; polyatomic anion.

Sulfite

SO3^2–; polyatomic anion.

Carbonate

CO3^2–; polyatomic anion.

Acetate

CH3COO– (or C2H3O2–); polyatomic anion.

Chlorate

ClO3–; polyatomic anion.

Chlorite

ClO2–; polyatomic anion.

Hypochlorite

ClO–; polyatomic anion.

Perchlorate

ClO4–; polyatomic anion.

Phosphate

PO4^3–; polyatomic anion.

Phosphite

PO3^3–; polyatomic anion.

Hydrogen carbonate (bicarbonate)

HCO3–; polyatomic anion.

Diatomic Elements

H2, N2, F2, O2, Cl2, Br2, I2; at room temperature, diatomics are gases except Br2 (liquid) and I2 (solid); mnemonic: Have No Fear Of Ice Cold Beer.

Fixed vs. Variable Charges in Metals

Group 1, Group 2, Ag, Cd, Ni, Zn typically have fixed +1 or +2 charges; many other transition metals have variable charges and use Roman numerals in naming.