Chemical Formulas
Chemical Names and Formulas
Student Pages for Interactive Notebooks
Purpose
The purpose of this station is to demonstrate the understanding of how naming occurs for ionic
compounds containing main group, transition metals or polyatomic ions, covalent compounds, acids
and bases using International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry nomenclature rules.
Before You Begin…
Check to see that all the items are present and organized according to the Station Information sheet. If
you notice a problem, notify the teacher immediately.
Materials
Station Information sheet
Representative Element Card Envelope (1 per station)
Transition Metal Card Envelope (1 per station)
Polyatomic Ion Card Envelope (1 per station)
Nonmetal Card Envelope – Covalent Compounds (1 per station)
Element and Ion Names & Prefixes Envelope (1 per station)
Colored Pencils
Interactive Notebook
Activities and Questions
Essential Question
What is the difference between ionic and covalent compounds in their naming process and within the
properties that differentiate the two?
Discuss the essential question with your teammate(s) and record your answer in your Interactive
Notebook.
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Chemical Names and Formulas
STAAR Chemistry Assessments: Chemical Formulas
Ionic Compounds (Representative Elements)
Locate the representative element card envelope and the element and ion names & prefixes
envelope.
1. Select the cards from the envelopes that show the ions that are represented in the names of
the elements for the compound.
2. Select the correct number of each ion to represent the chemical formula. The tiles should pair
up so that they resemble a complete square shape.
Ex. Sodium and Sulfur =
Na
S
Na
Sodium
Sulfide
Na2S
Once the tiles are placed correctly and the formula is determined, write the correct names and
formulas for each of the following combinations of ions in your Interactive Notebook. Complete eight
of the twelve below. If time permits, complete the remainder as extra practice.
Metal
Positive Ion
Nonmetal
Negative Ion
Magnesium
Chlorine
Calcium
Oxygen
Potassium
Sulfur
Beryllium
Nitrogen
Lithium
Bromine
Sodium
Sulfur
Lithium
Iodine
Potassium
Nitrogen
Sodium
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Nitrogen
Calcium
Phosphorus
Beryllium
Fluorine
Formula
Compound Name
Sketch four of the eight models that were assembled in the above activity including the color coding,
number of ions, formula and name of compound. Record this in your Interactive Notebook.
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Chemical Names and Formulas
STAAR Chemistry Assessments: Chemical Formulas
Ionic Compounds (Transition Metals)
Locate the transition metal card envelope and the element and ion names & prefixes envelope.
1. Select the cards from the envelopes that show the ions that are represented in the names of
the elements for the compound.
2. Select the correct number of each ion to represent the chemical formula. The tiles should pair
up so that they resemble a complete square shape. Use the same example as illustrated in the
above activity.
Once the tiles are placed correctly and the formula is determined, write the correct names and
formulas for each of the following combinations of ions in the chart below. Complete eight of the
twelve below. If time permits, complete the remainder as extra practice. Record your results in your
Interactive Notebook.
Transition metal
Positive Ion
Nonmetal Negative Ion
Iron (III)
Chlorine
Copper (II)
Oxide
Cobalt (II)
Fluorine
Manganese (IV)
Oxygen
Iron (II)
Bromine
Cobalt (III)
Fluorine
Chromium (III)
Fluorine
Nickel (II)
Chlorine
Copper (I)
Nitrogen
Cobalt (III)
Oxygen
Manganese (II)
Bromine
Chromium (III)
Nitrogen
Formula
Compound Name
Sketch four of the eight models that were assembled in the above activity including the color
coding, number of ions, formula and name of compound. Record this in your Interactive Notebook.
Covalent Compounds
Locate the nonmetal card envelope and the element and ion names & prefixes envelope.
1. Select the cards from the envelope that show the elements that are represented in the formula
of the compound.
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Chemical Names and Formulas
STAAR Chemistry Assessments: Chemical Formulas
2. Select the correct number of each element to represent the chemical formula. This time the
tiles will NOT pair up so that they resemble a complete square shape. Line the cards up in a
straight line.
3. Ex. PCl3 =
Phosphorus Chlorine Chlorine Chlorine
Phosphorus Tri
Chloride
3. Once the tiles are placed correctly and the formula name and corresponding prefixes are
determined, write the correct names for each formula for each of the following combinations of
elements on the chart below. Complete eight of the twelve below. If time permits, complete
the remainder as extra practice. Record this in your Interactive Notebook.
Formula
Prefixes
Compound Name
CH4
H2O
NO2
CO
CBr4
NCl3
P 2S 3
SF2
N 2F 6
NO
CO2
N2O3
Sketch four of the eight models that were assembled in the above activity including number of each
element, formula and name of compound. Record this in your Interactive Notebook.
Polyatomic Ions
Locate the polyatomic ion card envelope, and the element and ion names & prefixes envelope.
1. Select the cards from the envelopes that show the ions that are represented in the names of
the elements for the compound.
2. Select the correct number of each ion to represent the chemical formula. The tiles should pair
up so that they resemble a complete square shape. Use the same example as illustrated in the
first activity.
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Chemical Names and Formulas
STAAR Chemistry Assessments: Chemical Formulas
3. Once the tiles are placed correctly and the formula is determined, write the correct names and
formulas for each of the following combinations of ions on the chart below. Complete eight of
the twelve below. If time permits, complete the remainder as extra practice. Record this in
your Interactive Notebook.
Positive Ion
Negative Ion
Ammonium
Chlorine
Potassium
Sulfate
Silver
Nitrate
Magnesium
Hydroxide
Lithium
Sulfite
Calcium
Phosphate
Iron (III)
Sulfate
Strontium
Carbonate
Sodium
Nitrate
Potassium
Cyanide
Ammonium
Phosphate
Copper (II)
Nitrite
Formula
Compound Name
Sketch four of the eight models that were assembled in the above activity including number of each
element, formula and name of compound. Record this in your Interactive Notebook.
Acids and Bases
Locate the representative element card, polyatomic ion card envelope and the element and ion
names & prefixes envelope.
1. Select the cards from the envelopes that show the ions that are represented in the names of
the elements for the compound.
2. Select the correct number of each ion to represent the chemical formula. The tiles should pair
up so that they resemble a complete square shape. Use the same example as illustrated in the
first activity.
3. Once the tiles are placed correctly and the formula is determined, write the correct names and
formulas for each of the following combinations of ions on the chart below. Complete eight of
the ten below. If time permits, complete the remainder as extra practice. Record this in your
Interactive Notebook.
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Chemical Names and Formulas
Positive Ion
Negative Ion
Hydrogen
Nitrate
Calcium
Hydroxide
Hydrogen
Phosphate
Hydrogen
Sulfur
Potassium
Hydroxide
Hydrogen
Chlorine
Lithium
Hydroxide
Hydrogen
Nitrite
Hydrogen
Sulfate
Barium
Hydroxide
STAAR Chemistry Assessments: Chemical Formulas
Formula
Compound Name
Acid or Base
Sketch four of the eight models that were assembled in the above activity including number of each
element, formula and name of compound. Record this in your Interactive Notebook.
Note – Because other students are going to do the activity after you, be sure to put all the materials at
the station back as you found them. If you need assistance or have any questions, ask your teacher.
Questions
Record your answers in your Interactive Notebook.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Discuss the difference between an ionic and covalent bond.
What types of compounds are formed in this activity?
What role do valence electrons have in covalent bonding and in ionic bonding?
What is the total net charge formed in a compound?
Now that you have completed these questions, return to the essential question. How would
you modify or change your answer?
I Need to Remember …
Complete this part after class discussion of this station. Record this in your Interactive Notebook.
I need to remember …
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