The Language of Chemistry

Chemical Names

In most cases the name of a chemical tells you precisely which elements are present.

When non-metal atoms are combined with metals their name changes slightly in the name of the compound.

For example, calcium combined with oxygen will give calcium oxide. Whenever you come across a compound where the name finishes with -ide you know that this is, in fact, a combined non-metal atom.

Some chemical names are more difficult to understand. The names of these chemicals need to be learned and remembered!

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