“Water can be mixed into mortar,” chemistry is sometimes like that, seemingly complex but actually having clear rules. Many students, even working professionals, still feel confused when reading the names of inorganic chemical compounds. Don’t worry, this article will help you “get enlightened” about how to read inorganic chemical names easily and effectively. You can also refer to how to memorize quickly and remember effectively to apply to learning chemistry.
Exploring the World of Inorganic Chemical Nomenclature
Inorganic chemistry is a vast field of knowledge, encompassing countless compounds with different names. Mastering the rules of reading names will help you easily recognize and classify these compounds. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, in the book “Basic Inorganic Chemistry,” reading chemical names correctly is the first step to conquering this subject.
Rules for Naming Metals
For metals, the names are usually simple, coinciding with the element names. For example: Fe (iron), Cu (copper), Al (aluminum), etc. However, some metals have multiple oxidation states, requiring the valence to be specified in Roman numerals in parentheses. For example: FeCl2 (iron(II) chloride), FeCl3 (iron(III) chloride).
Rules for Naming Nonmetals
Nonmetal names are usually read according to Latin or Greek roots, combined with the suffix “-ide.” For example: O (oxygen), Cl (chlorine), S (sulfur), etc. When a nonmetal bonds with a metal to form a salt, the nonmetal name is read as the acid radical. For example: NaCl (sodium chloride), FeS (iron sulfide).
I remember once, a student of mine kept confusing “chloride” and “chlorate.” After I explained in detail about acid radicals and valences, he understood and no longer confused them. “Difficulty has its own way out,” a little persistence will lead to success.
Rules for Naming Acids
Acid names are constructed from “acid” + nonmetal name + corresponding suffix. For example: HCl (hydrochloric acid), H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), HNO3 (nitric acid).
Did you know that ancient people believed that if you accidentally spilled acid, you needed to ward off bad luck by sprinkling salt around the spill? Of course, this is just a folk belief, but it partly shows the ancients’ “fear” of chemicals. Today, we understand more about the properties and safe use of acids.
Practice Reading Inorganic Chemical Names
To become proficient, you need to practice regularly. Try reading the names of the following compounds: KMnO4, CuSO4, Ba(OH)2. If you want to learn more about how to present your education level in a CV, please see how to list education level in a CV. Who knows, chemistry knowledge might be a plus for your CV.
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Hopefully, this article has helped you better understand how to read inorganic chemical names. Wish you good study and success! Please leave a comment below if you have any questions!
