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Multiple Choice
What is the correct name for the ionic compound Ba(OH)2?
A
Barium dihydroxide
B
Barium oxide
C
Barium peroxide
D
Barium hydroxide
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the cation and anion in the compound Ba(OH)2. The cation is Ba^{2+} (barium ion) and the anion is OH^{-} (hydroxide ion).
Recognize that the compound is ionic, formed between a metal (barium) and a polyatomic ion (hydroxide).
Note that the formula Ba(OH)2 indicates there are two hydroxide ions for every one barium ion to balance the charge (since Ba^{2+} requires two OH^{-} ions).
Understand the naming convention for ionic compounds with polyatomic ions: name the metal cation first, followed by the name of the polyatomic ion without changing it.
Combine the names to get the correct name: 'Barium hydroxide' (not 'dihydroxide' because the prefix 'di-' is not used for naming ionic compounds with polyatomic ions).