Tutorial: Inorganic Nomenclature

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	Jump to one of the following inorganic nomenclature parts:

Before you start this tutorial, there are some assumptions which mainly center on the Periodic Table. You do need to be comfortable with the areas of the Periodic Table. Where are the metals, nonmetals, metalloids, etc.? There is some overview of the Table where needed; but, it would definitely be in your best interest to already have some working knowledge of the Periodic Table.

Ionic compounds come about from attractions between ions of different charge. It's an electrostatic attraction and you can think of it by picturing 2 magnets being stuck together. The magnets are difficult to separate because there is a strong attraction between the opposite poles. Covalently bonded compounds, or molecular compounds, are held together through a different type of force which we'll go into detail at a later date.

If the above had you thinking, "huh...", then you might need to go back and review a bit (usually chapter 2 in most General Chem I books and somewhere around chapter 4 in Introduction to Chemistry books). It wouldn't hurt to have your text easily accessible while runnig through the tutorials. However, remember that it's very unlikely you'll have your book available during an exam. This entire section, with a few exceptions, is all about pattern recognition.

Part 1- Molecular Compounds:

Covalent compounds- how to name them and how to write their molecular formulas.

Part 2- Monatomic Ions:

"Monatomic" means single atom. We'll run through the basic rules for naming writing the symbols for group IA and IIA cations along with the nonmetal anions.

Part 3- Stock System:

Ah, the dreaded transition and post-transition metal sections of the Periodic Table. It's really a fascinating area of chemistry although it can initially give people fits!

Part 4- Polyatomic Ions:

The basics on ions that have 2 or more elements in them. Focus is on recognition rather than memorization.

Part 5- Ionic Compounds:

This puts together the information from the first 3 sections. How to name a compound given the chemical formula and how to write the chemical formula when given the compound's name.

A more interactive section is in progress. If you see this note, then it hasn't been completed.

Part 6- Binary Acids and Oxoacids:

Some naming for binary acids and acids that contain oxygen.

Part 7- Quizzes:

Here's a place to put into practice all you've been given. This page has a ton of JavaScript so it will take longer to load depending on your modem connection and some other factors.