Naming Covalent Compounds Worksheet Write the formulas for the following covalent compounds: 1) antimony tribromide 2) hexaboron silicide 3) chlorine dioxide 4) hydrogen iodide 5) iodine pentafluoride 6) dinitrogen trioxide 7) nitrogen trihydride (ammonia) 8) phosphorus triiodide Write the names for the following covalent compounds: 9) P
S
10) O
11) SeF
12) Si
Br
13) SCl
14) CH
15) B
Si 16) NF
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Formulas for the Following Covalent Compounds:
- Antimony tribromide → SbBr₃
- Hexaboron silicide → B₆Si
- Chlorine dioxide → ClO₂
- Hydrogen iodide → HI
- Iodine pentafluoride → IF₅
- Dinitrogen trioxide → N₂O₃
- Nitrogen trihydride (Ammonia) → NH₃
- Phosphorus triiodide → PI₃
Names for the Following Covalent Compounds:
- P₄S₃ → Tetraphosphorus trisulfide
- O₂ → Dioxygen
- SeF₆ → Selenium hexafluoride
- SiBr₄ → Silicon tetrabromide
- S₂Cl₂ → Disulfur dichloride
- CH₄ → Carbon tetrahydride (commonly known as Methane)
- BSi → Boron monosilicide
- NF₃ → Nitrogen trifluoride
Explanation:
Covalent compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between nonmetallic elements. Their names follow a specific system using prefixes to indicate the number of atoms of each element in the molecule. Common prefixes include mono (1), di (2), tri (3), tetra (4), penta (5), hexa (6), and so on. The first element in the formula keeps its elemental name, and the second element ends with -ide, regardless of its usual ending.
Mono is typically omitted for the first element if there is only one atom. For example, CO is carbon monoxide, not monocarbon monoxide. However, mono is used for the second element when needed.
For instance:
- SbBr₃ is called antimony tribromide, where tri indicates three bromine atoms.
- B₆Si is hexaboron silicide, where hexa indicates six boron atoms.
- N₂O₃ becomes dinitrogen trioxide, using di and tri to show the count of nitrogen and oxygen atoms.
Similarly, formulas are written by interpreting the prefixes:
- Phosphorus triiodide means one phosphorus and three iodine atoms, giving PI₃.
- Nitrogen trifluoride gives NF₃, representing one nitrogen and three fluorine atoms.
This systematic approach ensures accurate communication of molecular structures across scientific disciplines.
