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Naming Compounds Practice: Ionic and Covalent Quiz

Quick, free practice for naming ionic and covalent compounds. Instant feedback.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Daniel WetselUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a quiz on naming ionic and covalent compounds on a coral background

Use this quiz to practice naming ionic and covalent compounds and decide if a formula is ionic or molecular. You'll build speed, check your rules, and get instant feedback as you go. For extra review, try the naming chemical compounds quiz and drill key ions with the polyatomic ions quiz.

Name the compound NaCl.
Sodium chloride
Sodium hypochlorite
Sodium chlorite
Sodium chlorate
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What is the correct formula for carbon dioxide?
CO
C2O
CO2
C2O2
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Name the compound H2O.
Dihydrogen oxide(IV)
Dihydrogen monoxide dioxide
Water
Hydrogen oxide(II)
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Name the compound MgO.
Magnesium oxide
Magnesium dioxide
Magnesium monoxide
Magnesium hydroxide
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What is the correct formula for nitrogen monoxide?
NO
N2O3
NO2
N2O
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What is the correct formula for dinitrogen tetroxide?
NO2
N2O4
N2O3
N4O2
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Name the compound FeCl3.
Iron(IV) chloride
Iron(II) chloride
Iron(III) chloride
Iron chloride
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What is the correct formula for copper(II) sulfate?
CuSO3
Cu2SO4
CuSO4
Cu2SO3
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Name the compound Na2CO3.
Sodium carbonate
Sodium bicarbonate
Disodium carbon dioxide
Sodium carbonite
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What is the correct formula for diphosphorus pentoxide?
P5O2
P2O4
PO5
P2O5
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What is the correct formula for chlorine trifluoride?
Cl3F2
ClF3
Cl3F
ClF
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Name the compound CoCl2.
Cobalt chloride
Cobalt(III) chloride
Cobalt(II) chloride
Cobalt(I) chloride
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What is the correct formula for mercury(I) chloride?
Hg2Cl2
Hg2Cl
HgCl
HgCl2
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What is the correct formula for calcium nitrite?
Ca(NO2)2
CaNO2
Ca(NO3)2
Ca2NO2
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Name the compound P4O10.
Tetraphosphorus decoxide
Tetraphosphorus decaoxide
Tetraphosphorus pentoxide
Phosphorus pentoxide
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Name the compound K2Cr2O7.
Potassium perchromate
Potassium chromate
Dipotasium chromate(VI)
Potassium dichromate
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Iron(II) chloride is FeCl2.
True
False
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Dinitrogen pentoxide has the formula N2O5.
True
False
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Sodium sulfite is Na2SO4.
False
True
undefined
Calcium phosphate is CaPO4.
True
False
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Compound Types -

    Distinguish between ionic and covalent compounds by evaluating bonding properties and electronegativity differences to tell if Na2O is ionic or covalent.

  2. Apply Ionic Naming Rules -

    Use systematic IUPAC nomenclature to name simple and complex ionic compounds, including those with polyatomic ions such as SO3²❻.

  3. Apply Covalent Naming Rules -

    Use Greek prefixes to correctly name covalent compounds, ensuring you can handle binary molecules and more complex structures.

  4. Interpret Chemical Formulas -

    Convert between chemical formulas and compound names accurately, reinforcing your ability to decode and write formulas for both ionic and covalent substances.

  5. Analyze Bonding Scenarios -

    Evaluate a variety of bonding scenarios to determine the correct naming approach, whether ionic or covalent, across diverse chemical examples.

  6. Self-Assess Naming Proficiency -

    Quiz yourself on naming conventions to identify strengths and areas for improvement, preparing you to excel in chemistry assessments and real-world applications.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Distinguishing Ionic vs. Covalent Bonds -

    Review electronegativity differences: bonds with ΔEN >1.7 are typically ionic, while smaller differences form covalent bonds. For example, SO3 ionic or covalent? Sulfur trioxide is covalent (ΔEN SO≈1.0). (Source: IUPAC Nomenclature Guide)

  2. Naming Ionic Compounds: Cation First -

    In naming ionic compounds, state the metal cation's name followed by the nonmetal anion with an "-ide" ending (or the polyatomic ion name). For instance, Na2O is ionic, so it's sodium oxide - easy to recall with the mnemonic "Positive First, Negative 'ide' at the End." (Source: American Chemical Society)

  3. Naming Covalent Compounds: Prefix System -

    Use Greek prefixes (mono-, di-, tri-, etc.) to denote atom counts in covalent compounds: CO2 becomes carbon dioxide, and SO3 is sulfur trioxide. Remember "Mono is lonely - only the second word gets it," to avoid "monocarbon monoxide." (Source: Purdue OWL Chemistry Nomenclature)

  4. Handling Transition Metals and Variable Charges -

    Transition metals can form multiple cations, so include Roman numerals: FeCl2 is iron(II) chloride, FeCl3 is iron(III) chloride. This step prevents confusion in your naming ionic compounds quiz and ensures precision. (Source: Royal Society of Chemistry)

  5. Practice with Quiz Drills and Flashcards -

    Test yourself on "naming ionic and covalent compounds quiz" items like "is Na2O ionic or covalent?" (Answer: ionic) and "SO3 ionic or covalent?" (Answer: covalent). Regular drills using flashcards or online quizzes boost retention and confidence. (Source: Khan Academy)

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