Nomenclature of Ionic compounds

Topic Description

Upon completion of this module, you should be able to name a compound, given the formula, and write the formula, given the name. An ionic compound is composed of two ions. A positive ion is a cation, and a negative ion is an anion. An ionic compound must contain metal or a positive polyatomic ion such as ammonium (NH4+) and a nonmetal ion or a negative polyatomic ion such as phosphate PO4 3-. The ionic formula is the lowest whole number ratio in which these atoms combine.