wiki+Feb.+10th

__Naming Chemical Compounds:__ To name chemical compounds there is a general formula. __**Example:**__ an example is CuSO4. Here, Cu=R=So4. Q deos not equal H. The compound does have more than two elements so it contains a polyatomic ion. Because of this you should expect that the name will end in ite or ate. The next question is does Q=Group A? the answer is no so you must name the ions and use a roman numeral to indentify the charge of the transition metal. the name is copper(II) sulfate.
 * First, you apply the general formula which is QxRy to each compound. Q and R can be atoms, monatomic ions or polyatomic ions.
 * after you know the formula then you ask yourself, does Q=H? if it does then the compound is an acid.
 * If the answer is no then you have to ask yourself if the compound has more than two elements?
 * If the answer is no then the compound is a binary acid. (meaning it ends in ide)
 * Then, after you found out it was a binary you have to ask, is Q a metal. if the answer is no then the compound is binary molecular and it uses prefixes in the name.
 * if the answer to the question is Q a metal is yes then you have to ask is Q=Group A. if it is you have to name the ions. If it is not name the ions. use a roman numeral with the cation.
 * Going back to the question does the compound have more than two elements, if you answer yes then the compound contains a polyatomic ion. the name generally ends in ite or ate.
 * Then you have to ask yourself if Q=group A. if it does then you have to name the ions. if it does not then you still name the ions but use a roman numeral with the cation.

__Writing Chemical Formulas:__ 1. and -ide ending generally indicates a binary compound 2. and -ite or -ate ending means a polyatomic ion that includes oxygen is in the formula 3. prefixes in a name generally indicate that the compound is molecular 4. a roman numeral after the name of a cation shows the ionic charge of the cation.

__Finding the name of a compound:__ to find the name of a compound follow these steps.
 * does it contain prefixes? if yes it is a molecular compound. use prefixes to write the formula. if no then it is an ionic compound. identify the symbols.
 * if it is a roman numeral give charges for the cations. Balance charges by using the crisscross method. add parentheses for any multiple polyatomic ions.
 * if it is a polyatomic ion find its charges.
 * if it is in Group A of the elements find its charges.