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Quizzes > Science

Naming Compounds Quiz: Practice Names and Formulas

Quick, free chemical formula writing quiz with instant feedback.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Shawnette SinclairUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art illustration golden yellow background quiz graphics featuring NaIO2 naming ionic formulas and compounds

This naming compounds quiz helps you practice naming compounds and writing correct chemical formulas, including tricky ions like NaIO2. Get instant feedback as you check your steps, then build skills with ionic formula practice, a chemical nomenclature quiz, or focused acid naming practice. Start now and see where to review before your next test.

What is the chemical name of NaCl?
Sodium dioxide
Sodium chlorate
Sodium hypochlorite
Sodium chloride
NaCl is composed of Na? and Cl? ions. The proper ionic name for NaCl is sodium chloride. This naming follows the convention of naming the cation first, then the anion.
What is the formula for potassium oxide?
K2O2
KO2
K3O
K2O
Potassium forms a +1 cation (K?) and oxide is O²?. Two K? ions are needed to balance one O²?, giving K2O. This follows the crisscross method of writing ionic formulas.
What is the chemical name of CO2?
Dicarbon oxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon dioxide
Monocarbon dioxide
CO2 is a molecular compound of carbon and oxygen. The prefix 'di-' indicates two oxygen atoms, so the name is carbon dioxide. This follows the rules for naming covalent compounds.
What is the formula for aluminum sulfide?
Al2S
Al3S2
Al2S3
AlS
Aluminum forms a +3 cation (Al³?), sulfide is S²?. Two Al³? and three S²? balance the charges, giving Al2S3. Charge neutrality dictates this formula.
What is the chemical name of H2O?
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydroxyhydrogen
Dihydrogen monoxide
Hydrogen oxide
H2O uses the prefixes di- for two hydrogens and -monoxide for one oxygen. While common name is water, systematic IUPAC name is dihydrogen monoxide. Prefix rules apply for covalent compounds.
What is the formula for magnesium bromide?
MgBr2
MgBr
Mg2Br3
Mg2Br
Magnesium is Mg²? and bromide is Br?. Two bromide ions balance one magnesium ion, yielding MgBr2. This uses simple charge balance for ionic formulas.
What is the chemical name of NH3?
Ammonia
Nitrogen trihydride
Nitrogen hydrogen
Hydronitride
NH3 is commonly called ammonia. The systematic name would be nitrogen trihydride, but ammonia is the accepted common name. Many covalent compounds have well-established common names.
What is the formula for sodium phosphate?
Na3PO4
NaPO4
Na2PO4
Na3P2O7
Phosphate is PO4³? and sodium is Na?. Three sodium ions balance one phosphate ion, giving Na3PO4. The charges must sum to zero.
What is the chemical name of FeCl3?
Ferrous chloride
Iron(II) chloride
Iron(III) chloride
Ferric chloride
Iron in FeCl3 has oxidation state +3, so it is named iron(III) chloride. The Roman numeral indicates the metal's oxidation state. Ferric chloride is an older name equivalent to iron(III) chloride.
What is the formula for dinitrogen tetroxide?
N2O2
N4O2
N2O4
NO4
Dinitrogen implies two nitrogen atoms and tetroxide indicates four oxygens, giving N2O4. Prefixes for molecular compounds denote exact counts. This follows covalent naming rules.
What is the chemical name of Li3N?
Lithium nitride
Lithium nitrate
Lithium nitrite
Lithium(III) nitride
Li3N consists of Li? and N³?, named lithium nitride. No Roman numeral is needed for group 1 metals. Ionic naming is straightforward here.
What is the formula for calcium carbonate?
Ca2CO3
CaC2O4
CaCO3
CaCO2
Calcium is Ca²?, carbonate is CO3²?. One Ca²? balances one CO3²?, giving CaCO3. This matches common ionic naming conventions.
What is the name of K2Cr2O7?
Potassium dichromate
Potassium bicromate
Potassium chromate
Potassium chromic oxide
Cr2O7²? is the dichromate ion paired with two K?. The name is potassium dichromate. Chromate is CrO4²?, so the prefix di- indicates two chromate units sharing an oxygen.
What is the formula for copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate?
CuSO4·H2O
CuSO4·5H2O
CuSO4·6H2O
Cu2SO4·5H2O
Copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate means CuSO4 with five water molecules. The dot notation indicates waters of crystallization. Pentahydrate is ·5H2O.
What is the name of P4O10?
Phosphorus pentoxide
Phosphorus(IV) oxide
Diphosphorus pentoxide
Tetraphosphorus decoxide
Molecular formula P4O10 uses prefixes: tetra- for 4 P and decoxide for 10 O. Although commonly called phosphorus pentoxide, IUPAC uses tetraphosphorus decoxide. Prefix conventions apply to covalent compounds.
What is the chemical name of NaIO2?
Sodium iodate
Sodium hypoiodite
Sodium periodate
Sodium iodite
IO2? is the iodite ion. Combined with Na?, the compound is sodium iodite. The -ite suffix denotes one fewer oxygen than iodate (IO3?).
What is the formula for barium hydroxide?
BaO2H
Ba(OH)2
BaOH
Ba2(OH)2
Hydroxide is OH?, barium is Ba²?. Two hydroxide ions balance one barium, giving Ba(OH)2. Parentheses group the polyatomic ion.
What is the name of HCl when dissolved in water?
Hypochlorous acid
Hydrochloric acid
Chlorous acid
Hydrogen chloride
HCl gas is hydrogen chloride, but in aqueous solution it is hydrochloric acid. The naming of acids uses the prefix hydro- and suffix -ic. This distinguishes aqueous acids from gas.
What is the formula for ammonium sulfate?
NH8SO4
(NH4)2SO4
NH4SO4
(NH4)SO4
Ammonium is NH4?, sulfate is SO4²?. Two ammonium ions balance one sulfate ion, giving (NH4)2SO4. Parentheses denote the polyatomic ion.
What is the name of SeO2?
Selenous oxide
Selenium oxide
Diselenium oxide
Selenium dioxide
SeO2 uses di- for two oxygens, so selenium dioxide. The prefix di- applies to covalent compounds. Selenium takes no Roman numeral as it is covalent.
What is the formula for iron(II) phosphate?
FePO4
Fe(PO4)2
Fe2(PO4)3
Fe3(PO4)2
Iron(II) is Fe²? and phosphate is PO4³?. Three Fe²? and two PO4³? give Fe3(PO4)2 to balance charges. Crisscross method yields the formula.
What is the name of ClO4??
Chlorite
Chlorate
Perchlorate
Hypochlorite
ClO4? is perchlorate, the oxyanion with the highest oxygen count. The prefix per- and suffix -ate indicate this. Other oxyanions have fewer oxygens with different suffixes.
What is the formula for zinc phosphate?
Zn(PO4)2
Zn2(PO4)3
ZnPO4
Zn3(PO4)2
Zn²? with PO4³? gives Zn3(PO4)2 by crisscrossing charges. Three zinc ions and two phosphate ions balance to neutral. Parentheses denote the polyatomic phosphate.
What is the name of MnO4??
Hypomanganate
Manganate
Manganese oxide
Permanganate
MnO4? is permanganate, the oxyanion of manganese(VII) with four oxygens. The prefix per- and suffix -ate denote the highest oxygen count. It is distinct from manganate (MnO4²?).
What is the systematic name of SnCl2?
Tin chloride
Tin dichloride
Stannous chloride
Tin(II) chloride
Sn exists as Sn²? here, so it is tin(II) chloride. The older name is stannous chloride. IUPAC prefers the Roman numeral to indicate oxidation state.
What is the formula for mercury(I) nitrate?
Hg(NO3)
Hg(NO3)2
Hg2NO3
Hg2(NO3)2
Mercury(I) exists as the Hg2²? dimer. Combined with two NO3?, the formula is Hg2(NO3)2. Mercury(I) compounds use the diatomic cation.
What is the name of Cr2O3?
Chromium(III) oxide
Dichromium trioxide
Chromium oxide
Chromic oxide
Cr2O3 has Cr in the +3 oxidation state. The IUPAC name is chromium(III) oxide. Older names include chromic oxide. Roman numeral indicates oxidation number.
What is the formula for phosphorous acid?
H2PO3
H3PO3
HPO3
H3PO4
Phosphorous acid is H3PO3, not to be confused with phosphoric acid (H3PO4). The oxyacid with fewer oxygens uses -ous suffix. The structure has two OH groups and one double-bonded O.
What is the name of K2S2O3?
Potassium disulfate
Potassium persulfate
Potassium sulfite
Potassium thiosulfate
S2O3²? is the thiosulfate ion, where one oxygen of sulfate is replaced by sulfur. Paired with two K?, the compound is potassium thiosulfate. The prefix thio- denotes oxygen substitution.
What is the formula for cobalt(III) oxide?
Co2O3
Co3O2
CoO2
CoO
Cobalt(III) is Co³? and oxide is O²?. Two Co³? and three O²? balance, giving Co2O3. Roman numeral indicates the metal's oxidation state.
What is the name of BrO2??
Bromate
Perbromate
Hypobromite
Bromite
BrO2? is the bromite ion, with one fewer oxygen than bromate (BrO3?). The -ite suffix denotes fewer oxygens. Hypo- and per- apply to further variations.
What is the formula for silver acetate?
Ag(CH3COO)2
AgCH3COO
Ag2C2H3O2
AgC2H3O2
Acetate is C2H3O2? (or CH3COO?) and silver is Ag?. One Ag? balances one acetate, giving AgC2H3O2. Structural notation may vary but formula remains.
What is the name of HNO2?
Hyponitrous acid
Nitric acid
Nitrous acid
Nitrogen dioxide
HNO2 is nitrous acid, the -ous acid of the nitrite ion (NO2?). Nitric acid is HNO3. Acid naming uses -ous for fewer oxygens.
What is the IUPAC name of [Co(NH3)6]Cl3?
Ammines cobalt(III) chloride
Hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride
Hexammine cobalt chloride
Cobalt hexammine trichloride
In coordination compounds, ligands are named first: ammine for NH3. Six ammine ligands give hexaammine, central metal cobalt(III) due to 3+ charge, then chloride counterions. The IUPAC name is hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride.
What is the oxidation state of sulfur in S2O7²??
+4
+6
+7
+5
Let x = oxidation state of each S. 2x + 7(-2) = -2 ? 2x -14 = -2 ? 2x = +12 ? x = +6. Each sulfur is +6. This is typical in disulfate ions.
What is the name of Cr3O2Cl2 according to IUPAC?
Trichromium dichloride dioxide
Chromium oxide chloride
Dichlorodioxotrichromium
Dichlorodi-?-oxo-trichromium
This polynuclear complex has two bridging oxo ligands (?-oxo) and two chloride ligands. Prefixes indicate number of ligands and ? denotes bridging. The correct systematic name is dichlorodi-?-oxo-trichromium.
What is the formula for tetrammineplatinum(II) chloride?
[Pt(NH3)2Cl2]
Pt(NH3)4Cl2
[PtCl2(NH3)4]
[Pt(NH3)4]Cl2
The complex cation is Pt²? with four ammine ligands, giving [Pt(NH3)4]²?. Two Cl? counterions yield [Pt(NH3)4]Cl2. Square brackets hold the coordination sphere.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Systematic IUPAC Rules -

    Learn the core principles of IUPAC nomenclature to name both ionic and molecular compounds accurately using a naming compounds generator.

  2. Apply Oxidation State Conventions -

    Use oxidation state rules to determine the correct naming of compounds like NaIO2, identifying oxidation numbers and proper suffixes.

  3. Analyze Formulas with a Naming Compounds Generator -

    Engage with interactive quiz questions to practice naming compounds and reinforce your formula writing skills.

  4. Evaluate Naming Compounds Examples and Answers -

    Review common naming examples and answers to recognize frequent mistakes and improve accuracy in chemical compound naming.

  5. Generate Precise Compound Names and Formulas -

    Convert between chemical formulas and their systematic names confidently, enhancing your proficiency in chemical compound naming quizzes.

  6. Interpret Polyatomic Ion Nomenclature -

    Identify and apply naming conventions for polyatomic ions to ensure correct and consistent nomenclature in complex compounds.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Oxidation States & Roman Numerals -

    Mastering oxidation states is key to systematic chemical compound naming; according to IUPAC guidelines, the sum of oxidation numbers in a neutral compound must equal zero. Use the OIL RIG mnemonic ("Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain") to track electron shifts, and apply Roman numerals for transition metals (e.g., FeCl₂ = iron(II) chloride).

  2. Binary Ionic vs. Molecular Compounds -

    Distinguish ionic compounds (metal + nonmetal) from covalent/molecular compounds (nonmetal + nonmetal) by referring to electronegativity differences from sources like the American Chemical Society. In ionic naming, list the cation then the anion (e.g., NaCl = sodium chloride), whereas molecular naming uses prefixes (e.g., CO₂ = carbon dioxide).

  3. Polyatomic Ions & NaIO₂ Name -

    Familiarize yourself with common polyatomic ions - memorable via "Nick the Camel Ate a Clam for Supper in Phoenix" for NO₃❻, CO₃²❻, ClO₂❻, SO₄²❻, PO₄³❻ - and learn that IO₂❻ is the iodite ion, making NaIO₂ sodium iodite. Resources like PubChem and university chemistry departments list standard charges and names for quick reference.

  4. Prefix Rules for Covalent Compounds -

    For nonmetal - nonmetal compounds, apply Greek prefixes (mono-, di-, tri-, etc.) to indicate atom counts, dropping "mono-" on the first element (e.g., P₂O₅ = diphosphorus pentoxide). This rule is outlined in textbooks like Zumdahl's Principles of Chemistry to ensure consistency in naming covalent substances.

  5. Practice with a Naming Compounds Generator Quiz -

    Use a free naming compounds generator quiz to reinforce formula writing skills and compare your answers to naming compounds examples and answers provided by reputable educational sites. Immediate feedback helps identify weak spots and boosts confidence as you master chemical compound naming.

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