Multiple Choice
What is the chemical formula for copper(II) sulfate?
3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Ionic Compounds
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Why do some ionic compounds include a Roman numeral in their name?
A
To identify the compound as a hydrate
B
To specify the total number of ions present in the formula unit
C
To show the number of atoms of each element in the compound
D
To indicate the charge of a metal cation that can have more than one possible charge
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that some metals, especially transition metals, can form more than one type of positive ion (cation) with different charges.
Recognize that the Roman numeral in the name of an ionic compound indicates the specific charge (oxidation state) of the metal cation in that compound.
Recall that this is important because the charge affects how the metal combines with the anion to form a neutral compound.
Note that the Roman numeral is placed immediately after the name of the metal to clarify which ion is present, for example, Iron(II) vs. Iron(III).
Understand that this naming convention helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the correct formula and properties of the compound are communicated.
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