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Quizzes > Science

Acid Nomenclature Quiz: Practice Naming Binary Acids and Oxyacids

20 questions of acid naming practice with instant feedback and tips.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ashley RiveraUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 10
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper art promoting a high school-level chemistry quiz on acid naming conventions.

This quiz helps you practice acid naming, from binary acids to oxyacids, using formulas and names. Answer 20 quick questions to check your understanding and build speed before a test. For more practice, explore our chemical nomenclature quiz, try a chemical naming quiz, or review with a naming compounds quiz.

What is the correct name for the acid with formula HCl?
Hydrochloric acid
Perchloric acid
Hypochlorous acid
Chloric acid
HCl is known as hydrochloric acid. It is a binary acid that follows the naming convention by using the 'hydro-' prefix along with the 'ic acid' ending.
Which prefix is used when naming binary acids?
meta-
per-
hypo-
hydro-
Binary acids are named with the 'hydro-' prefix followed by the stem of the nonmetal and ending with 'ic acid'. This distinguishes them from oxyacids.
What is the correct name for the acid with formula HNO3?
Nitrous acid
Nitrate acid
Nitric acid
Hydroxy acid
HNO3 is named nitric acid because the anion NO3 - takes on the 'ic' ending to indicate higher oxygen content. In contrast, HNO2 is named nitrous acid.
Between sulfurous acid and sulfuric acid, which acid indicates a higher oxygen content?
Sulfuric acid
Sulfurous acid
Peroxysulfuric acid
Hyposulfurous acid
The 'ic' ending in sulfuric acid indicates a higher oxygen content than the 'ous' ending in sulfurous acid. This systematic suffix change helps differentiate between the two acids.
In oxyacid naming, what does the suffix '-ous' indicate?
An acid with a higher oxidation state
An acid formed without oxygen
A binary acid
An acid with a lower oxidation state
The '-ous' suffix in an oxyacid indicates that the central atom has a lower oxidation state and typically fewer oxygen atoms. This is in contrast to the '-ic' ending, which denotes a higher oxygen content.
What is the correct name for the compound H3PO4?
Hypophosphorous acid
Phosphinic acid
Phosphoric acid
Phosphorous acid
H3PO4 is named phosphoric acid following the standard nomenclature for oxyacids. The 'ic' ending signifies a higher oxygenation state compared to phosphorous acid.
What is the correct name for the binary acid with formula H2S?
Disulfuric acid
Hydrosulfuric acid
Sulfurous acid
Sulfuric acid
H2S is a binary acid and is named using the 'hydro-' prefix combined with the nonmetal's name and the 'ic acid' ending, which results in hydrosulfuric acid.
When naming oxyacids, how does an increase in the number of oxygen atoms typically affect the acid's name?
It changes the suffix from '-ous' to '-ic'
It adds an extra 'per-' to the name
It changes the prefix from 'hydro-' to 'meta-'
It changes the name entirely to a binary acid name
An increase in oxygen content in oxyacids is indicated by switching the suffix from '-ous' to '-ic'. This change reflects the higher oxidation state and greater oxygen quantity in the acid.
Which of the following formulas corresponds to nitric acid?
HNO3
HNO2
H3NO3
NO3
Nitric acid is represented by the formula HNO3. The nitrate ion (NO3 - ) paired with hydrogen forms nitric acid, which is commonly used in various chemical reactions.
How is an acid derived from a polyatomic ion ending in '-ate' typically named?
Its name remains unchanged as '-ate acid'
Its name replaces '-ate' with '-ic acid'
Its name replaces '-ate' with '-ous acid'
It is prefixed with 'hydro-'
When an acid is formed from a polyatomic ion ending in '-ate', the suffix is replaced with '-ic acid'. This modification reflects the higher oxidation state and oxygen content of the acid.
What is the correct name for the acid with formula HClO4?
Chlorous acid
Perchloric acid
Chloric acid
Hypochlorous acid
HClO4 is named perchloric acid because the 'per-' prefix indicates that the acid contains the maximum number of oxygen atoms in its series. This distinguishes it from other chlorine oxyacids.
What does the prefix 'hypo-' signify in the naming of oxyacids?
It signifies a higher concentration of oxygen
It indicates the acid originates from a binary compound
It indicates the acid has the lowest number of oxygen atoms in its series
It indicates the acid is extremely strong
The prefix 'hypo-' signifies that an oxyacid contains the minimum number of oxygen atoms in its series. It is used to differentiate from the 'per-' prefix, which indicates the maximum oxygen content.
Which is the correct name for the acid with formula HClO2?
Chloric acid
Hypochlorous acid
Chlorous acid
Perchloric acid
HClO2 is named chlorous acid. The '-ous' suffix indicates a lower oxygen content when compared to its '-ic' counterpart, aiding in differentiating among chlorine oxyacids.
When naming an acid derived from a polyatomic ion ending in '-ite', which suffix is used in the acid's name?
Replace '-ite' with '-ous acid'
Add the prefix 'hydro-' in front
Retain '-ite' and add 'acid' at the end
Replace '-ite' with '-ic acid'
For acids derived from ions ending in '-ite', the suffix is changed to '-ous acid'. This convention indicates a lower oxygen content relative to ions ending in '-ate', which convert to '-ic acid'.
Phosphorus forms two common acids. Which pair correctly identifies them?
H3PO3 is Phosphoric acid and H3PO4 is Phosphorous acid
Both H3PO3 and H3PO4 are named Phosphorous acid
H3PO3 is Phosphorous acid and H3PO4 is Phosphoric acid
Both H3PO3 and H3PO4 are named Phosphoric acid
H3PO3 is known as phosphorous acid and has a lower oxygen content, while H3PO4 is called phosphoric acid, reflecting its higher oxygenation. This follows the standard '-ous' and '-ic' naming convention.
Arrange the following acids in order of increasing oxygen content: HClO, HClO2, HClO3, HClO4.
Chlorous acid, Perchloric acid, Hypochlorous acid, Chloric acid
Chloric acid, Chlorous acid, Hypochlorous acid, Perchloric acid
Perchloric acid, Chloric acid, Chlorous acid, Hypochlorous acid
Hypochlorous acid, Chlorous acid, Chloric acid, Perchloric acid
The order reflects increasing oxygen content: HClO (hypochlorous acid) has the fewest oxygen atoms, and HClO4 (perchloric acid) has the most. The naming prefixes and suffixes correspond to this gradient.
What is the correct name for the acid with formula H2SeO3?
Selenous acid
Hydroselenic acid
Selenic acid
Perselenic acid
H2SeO3 is analogous to H2SO3 and is named selenous acid, reflecting a lower oxygen content around the central atom. The '-ous' ending differentiates it from the higher oxygenated selenic acid.
Which of the following acids is a binary acid rather than an oxyacid?
H3PO4
H2CO3
HF
HClO3
HF is a binary acid because it is composed solely of hydrogen and fluorine, lacking oxygen in its structure. The other acids listed are oxyacids that include oxygen atoms.
Which acid name is derived from the sulfite ion (SO3²❻)?
Sulfuric acid
Hyposulfuric acid
Persulfuric acid
Sulfurous acid
When an acid is derived from the sulfite ion, the name changes from '-ite' to '-ous acid', resulting in sulfurous acid. This distinguishes it from acids derived from the sulfate ion, which are named with an '-ic acid' ending.
In oxyacid nomenclature, what determines whether an acid's name ends with '-ous' or '-ic'?
The acid's solubility in water
The number of hydrogen atoms present
The oxidation state of the central atom
The physical state of the acid
The suffix in an oxyacid's name is determined by the oxidation state of the central atom. A lower oxidation state results in an '-ous' ending, while a higher oxidation state is indicated by an '-ic' ending.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the rules for naming acids based on their chemical composition.
  2. Apply systematic nomenclature conventions to correctly name acids from given formulas.
  3. Analyze the structural differences between binary acids and oxyacids.
  4. Evaluate acid naming errors using instant feedback from quiz results.
  5. Synthesize acquired knowledge to confidently prepare for chemistry tests and exams.

Acid Naming Practice Quiz: Ace Your Exam Cheat Sheet

  1. Recognize Binary Acids - Binary acids are the simplest, made of hydrogen plus one nonmetal, and their names always start with "hydro-" and end with "-ic acid." Once you see HCl as hydrochloric acid, you'll spot hydrofluoric (HF) or hydrobromic (HBr) patterns everywhere.
  2. Identify Oxyacids - Oxyacids contain hydrogen, oxygen, and another element, and their names follow the polyatomic ion ending: "-ate" becomes "-ic acid" and "-ite" becomes "-ous acid." For example, HNO₃ (from nitrate) is nitric acid, while HNO₂ (from nitrite) is nitrous acid.
  3. Memorize Common Polyatomic Ions - Commit ions like sulfate (SO₄²❻), nitrate (NO₃❻), and phosphate (PO₄³❻) to memory; they're your secret keys for naming oxyacids correctly. Then watch H₂SO₄ instantly transform into sulfuric acid in your mind.
  4. Use Mnemonics for Suffix Changes - Make it stick with fun phrases like "I ate something icky" to recall that "-ate" turns into "-ic," and "Sprite is delicious" to remember that "-ite" becomes "-ous." These catchy lines will save you during quizzes!
  5. Understand Prefix Usage in Oxyacids - When an oxyacid has one more oxygen than the "-ate" form, slap on "per-" plus "-ic," and if it has one fewer, use "hypo-" plus "-ous." So HClO₄ becomes perchloric acid and HClO turns into hypochlorous acid.
  6. Recognize Exceptions - Not all acids play by the rulebook - acetic acid (CH₃COOH) is a classic oddball you need to know by name. Spotting these exceptions is key for top marks and real-world chemistry savvy.
  7. Practice Writing Formulas from Names - Flip the game: see a name and write the formula. For instance, knowing that sulfurous acid corresponds to H₂SO₃ cements your mastery of the system.
  8. Learn the Role of Hydrogen Ions - Remember that acids release H❺ in solution, which defines their strength and influences naming conventions. Grasping this helps you predict acid behavior beyond mere labels.
  9. Differentiate Between Acid Types - Binary acids mix H❺ with a nonmetal, while oxyacids bring oxygen into the party too. Spotting the difference instantly tells you which naming rules to apply.
  10. Utilize Practice Problems - The more you name and write acids, the more intuitive it becomes. Turn exercises into a game - set a timer or quiz a friend to level up your acid-naming speed!
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