Give the name for each of the following:
(a) SiF4----Silicon tetraflouride
(b) CuBr2---Copper dibromide
(c) MgCO3---Magnesium Carbonate
(d) NH4NO3----Ammonium Nitrate
Some might complain that b should be called copper(II) bromide (and no one will argue with that name) but I would give you credit for the copper dibromide answer. In other words, all will accept copper(II) bromide while some (perhaps even most) will accept copper dibromide.
To determine the names of the given chemical compounds, we need to identify the elements present and their corresponding oxidation states. Let's break down each compound:
(a) SiF4 - This compound consists of silicon (Si) and fluorine (F). Silicon usually forms compounds with a +4 oxidation state, and fluorine commonly has a -1 oxidation state. Since there are four fluorine atoms, we add the prefix "tetra-" to indicate the four fluorine atoms and name the compound as silicon tetrafluoride.
(b) CuBr2 - Here, we have copper (Cu) and bromine (Br). Copper typically forms compounds with a +2 oxidation state, and bromine typically has a -1 oxidation state. Since there are two bromine atoms, we add the prefix "di-" and name the compound as copper dibromide.
(c) MgCO3 - This compound contains magnesium (Mg) and carbonate (CO3). Magnesium has a +2 oxidation state, while carbonate is a polyatomic ion with a -2 charge. We simply name this compound as magnesium carbonate.
(d) NH4NO3 - This compound consists of ammonium (NH4) and nitrate (NO3). Ammonium is a polyatomic ion with a +1 charge, and nitrate is also a polyatomic ion with a -1 charge. We name this compound as ammonium nitrate.
Remember, to name chemical compounds, you need to understand the oxidation states of the elements involved and the charges of any polyatomic ions present.