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Multiple Choice
What is the correct name for the compound Al2O3?
A
Aluminum oxide
B
Aluminum(III) oxide
C
Dialuminum trioxide
D
Aluminum dioxide
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the elements present in the compound Al2O3. Here, Al stands for aluminum and O stands for oxygen.
Determine the number of atoms of each element in the compound. There are 2 aluminum atoms and 3 oxygen atoms.
Recognize that aluminum is a metal and oxygen is a nonmetal, so the compound is an ionic compound.
Name the metal first using its elemental name (aluminum). Since aluminum typically forms a +3 charge, the oxidation state can be indicated as (III) if needed.
Name the nonmetal second, changing its ending to '-ide' to form 'oxide'. Combine the names to get 'aluminum oxide' or 'aluminum(III) oxide' for clarity.