Topic 3: Naming Compounds
Introduction
Part of the language of chemistry is the naming of chemicals.
Many chemicals have common names which everyone knows, e.g., "salt"
which is used with food. Chemists use a more precise naming system
for compounds so that we can tell which elements go to make them
up.
Purposes of the topic
When you have completed this topic you should:
- know some general rules for naming compounds;
- know how to tell if oxygen is present in a compound;
- be able to tell from the table of elements whether an element
is a metal or a non-metal;
- be able to write the name of a compound if you are told what
elements are present
