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Multiple Choice
What is the correct name for the compound BaCl_2?
A
Barium dichloride
B
Barium chlorate
C
Barium(II) chloride
D
Barium chloride
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the elements in the compound BaCl_2: Ba is barium, a metal, and Cl is chlorine, a nonmetal.
Determine the charge of the metal ion: Barium is an alkaline earth metal in Group 2, so it typically forms a +2 charge (Ba^{2+}).
Determine the charge of the nonmetal ion: Chlorine forms chloride ions with a -1 charge (Cl^{-}). Since there are two chloride ions, the total negative charge is 2 × (-1) = -2, balancing the +2 charge of barium.
Name the compound by stating the metal first (barium) followed by the nonmetal with the suffix '-ide' (chloride). Since barium has only one common oxidation state (+2), no Roman numeral is needed.
Avoid using prefixes like 'di-' for ionic compounds when naming simple binary ionic compounds; thus, the correct name is 'barium chloride', not 'barium dichloride' or 'barium(II) chloride'.