General Chemistry for the Health Care Professions

General Chemistry
for the
Health Care Professions

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Lesson 2
RULES OF INORGANIC NOMENCLATURE

1-8. INTRODUCTION

This lesson discusses how to name a compound from its formula. The interrelationship of names and formulas is very important to you. You will be required to recognize both, in interpreting, preparing, and using these chemicals.

The presentation is in the format of programmed instruction. Each frame presents some material, and then asks some questions in which you apply the material presented. The correct answers follow so that you can check your answers for accuracy. It is important that you use a piece of paper to cover the answers as you work the program. You should fill in the answers as you work each frame and then check your answers. If you answered any questions incorrectly, go back and review the frame so that you understand the correct answer.

1-9. GENERAL TERMS

There are several general terms we use that give us information about inorganic compounds. To describe the number of different elements in a compound we use the terms binary, ternary, and quaternary.

A binary compound contains two different elements, such as NaCl.
A ternary compound contains three different elements, such as H₂SO₄.
A quaternary compound contains four different elements such as NaHCO₃. .

Examples

CO₂ is a binary compound because it contains two (C,O) different elements.
Al(OH)₂Cl is a Quaternary compound because it contains four (Al,O,H,Cl) different elements.
KNO₃ is a ternary compound because it contains three (K,N,O) different elements.

Original content of this course is supplied by Academy of Health Sciences
Fort Sam Houston, Tx.