Lecture Notes: Chemistry Language and Naming Conventions

Introduction

• Analogy: Waking up in Belgium knowing no languages is similar to understanding chemistry.
• Chemistry has its own language for formulas and naming conventions.

Chemistry Language

• Translation: Symbols and numbers in chemical formulas translate into spoken words.
• Knowing the rules is crucial for understanding.

Periodic Table as a Phrasebook

• Purpose: Helps in understanding rules for describing elements like ions and acids.

Ions

• Formation: Atoms become ions by gaining/losing electrons.
  • Cations: Positive charge (lost electrons)
  • Anions: Negative charge (gained electrons)
• Monatomic Ions: Single atoms where the chemical symbol is followed by its charge.
• Naming:
  • Cations: "[Element] ion" (e.g., Sodium ion)
  • Anions: "[Element]-ide" (e.g., Chloride)
• Ionic Compounds Naming: Cation first, anion second (e.g., Sodium chloride).

Using the Periodic Table

• Alkali/Alkaline Earth Metals: Form cations by losing electrons.
• Halogens, Oxygen, Sulfur, Nitrogen: Form anions by gaining electrons.
• Transition Metals: Can form multiple ions, use Roman numerals for ion charge (e.g., Iron II).

Acids and Anions

• Acid Ionization: Hydrogen cations form anions.
• Naming Conventions:
  • Anions ending "-ate": Form acids ending in "-ic" (e.g., Chlorate to Chloric acid).
  • Anions ending "-ite": Form acids ending in "-ous" (e.g., Chlorite to Chlorous acid).
  • Less Oxygen ("-ous"): Use "hypo-" prefix (e.g., Hypochlorous acid).
  • More Oxygen: Use "per-" prefix (e.g., Perchloric acid).
  • No Oxygen: "Hydro-" prefix + "-ic" suffix (e.g., Hydrochloric acid).

Key Takeaways

• Monatomic Ions: Determine formulas/names using the periodic table.
• Transition Metals: Use Roman numerals to specify ion charge.
• Naming Acids: Based on oxygen content and predefined rules.

Resources and Credits

• Episode Credits: Crash Course Chemistry, written by Blake DePastino, edited by the presenter, with chemistry consultant Edie Gonzalez. Directed by Nicholas Jenkins.

Remember: Familiarize with "-ate" anions and "-ic" acids as a baseline for understanding more complex compounds.