CHEMICAL FORMULAE AND NAMING OF

COMPOUNDS

WOLMER’S BOYS’ SCHOOL

GRADE 10
 OBJECTIVES

STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:

WRITE FORMULAE FOR ELEMENTS, IONIC AND COVALENT COMPOUNDS.
NAME IONIC AND COVALENT COMPOUNDS
 CHEMICAL FORMULAE
∙ Chemical formula is a shorthand form of writing out the names of compounds.
The formula shows the symbol of each element and the corresponding
number of each atom in one molecule or formula unit of the compound.

∙ Molecular formula shows the actual number of each atom of the elements in
the compound. Eg. for glucose C6H12O6

∙ Empirical formula shows the simplest whole number ratio of each element in
the compound. Eg for glucose we divide through by a whole number i.e 6 to
get the formula in its lowest form i.e. CH2O

∙ The structural formula shows the actual arrangement and attachment of the
atoms to each other in the compound. Eg in glucose (See diagram on the right)
 VALENCY

∙ Valency is the number of bonds an atom can form with other elements.
eg. valency of metals is equal to the number of valence electrons and
the valency of anions is the number of electrons that should be gained
to obtain noble gas electronic configuration. The valency of polyatomic
ions is equal to the charge on the ion.
 WRITING FORMULAE FOR IONIC COMPOUNDS

◼ 1. Write the formula for the cation.

◼ 2. Write the formula of the anion beside the cation.
◼ 3. Swap the charges on the ions.
◼ 4. Rewrite the cation and the anion but without the signs.
◼ 5. Write the empirical formula of the compound.
LEAD (IV) OXIDE
 NAMING IONIC COMPOUNDS

◼ Write down the name of the cation then write down the name of the anion.
 WRITING FORMULAE FOR COVALENT COMPOUNDS

◼ 1. Write the formula for each element. Place the more metallic element first
followed by the more non-metallic element
◼ 2. Write the number of atoms of each element in subscript.
◼ NB Covalent compounds should NOT be written in their lowest terms.
NAMING COVALENT COMPOUNDS
 COVALENT COMPOUNDS

◼Write the formula of the following molecular compounds.

1. Carbon monoxide
2. Sulphur trioxide
3. Dinitrogen monoxide
4. Nitrogen trifluoride
5. Sulphur hexafluoride
6. Carbon disulphide
7. Diphosphorus pentoxide
8. Oxygen difluoride
9. Carbon tetrachloride
10. Nitrogen trihydride
NAME THE FOLLOWING COVALENT COMPOUNDS
LET’S TEST COMPREHENSION