Multiple Choice
What is the correct name of the binary molecular (covalent) compound ?
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5. Molecules and Compounds
Naming Binary Molecular Compounds
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What is the correct name of the binary molecular compound ?
A
Phosphorus(III) oxide
B
Diphophorus trioxide
C
Phosphorus trioxide
D
Diphosphorus trioxide
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify that the compound is a binary molecular compound composed of two nonmetals: phosphorus (P) and oxygen (O).
Recall the naming rules for binary molecular compounds: use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms of each element present, except omit 'mono-' for the first element if there is only one atom.
Determine the number of atoms of each element from the formula: there are 2 phosphorus atoms and 3 oxygen atoms, so use the prefixes 'di-' for phosphorus and 'tri-' for oxygen.
Combine the element names with the appropriate prefixes: 'diphosphorus' for P2 and 'trioxide' for O3 (note that 'oxide' changes to 'oxide' when combined with a prefix).
Put the name together as 'diphosphorus trioxide' to correctly name the compound P2O3.
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