Chemical Nomenclature
The Chemical Nomenclature STEM Certificate is a self-guided program that provides guidance on rules related to naming in chemistry, including: binary compounds, Types I & II ionic compounds, polyatomic ions, covalent compounds, acids, and organic compounds including alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, cycloalkanes, and a variety of organic substituent groups. Through this series, students will learn strategies for naming a variety of molecules and compounds and have the opportunity to practice with naming.
Watch all nine videos and complete each quiz to earn your certificate.
Links to help with video quizzes:
- Interactive Periodic Table (The Royal Society of Chemistry)
This video includes a basic introduction to naming binary compounds. In order to begin naming simple compounds, students need to understand some of the basics about how the periodic table is organized: generally speaking, where are the metals and nonmetals located? Several examples are shown to help students understand why an atom might want to form and ion, and whether it’s more likely a given atom would gain or lose electrons to form an ion.
After watching this video, CLICK HERE for Quiz 1: Binary Compounds.
How do we name Type I Binary - Ionic Compounds? These are ionic compounds where the metal cation only forms one charge and bonds with a nonmetal anion. This usually involves metals in groups 1 & 2 as well as a few transition metals.
After watching this video, CLICK HERE for Quiz 2: Type I Binary - Ionic Compounds.
In Type II Binary - Ionic Compounds, the metal cation has a possibility for more than one charge. Therefore, when naming these compounds, the charge of the cation needs to be specified. This is done through the use of Roman numerals.
After watching this video, CLICK HERE for Quiz 3: Type II Binary - Ionic Compounds.
Type I and Type II Binary ionic compounds can include polyatomic ions. Polyatomic ions are specific ions made up of two or more atoms that are covalently bonded together and behave as a single unit. The best way to recognize polyatomic ions is to memorize them.
After watching this video, CLICK HERE for Quiz 4: Ionic Compounds with Polyatomic Ions.
You will know that you are naming a covalent compound when the only atoms in the compound are nonmetals and there are no polyatomic ions. In this video, we learn about the prefixes that are used in naming this type of compound.
After watching this video, CLICK HERE for Quiz 5: Covalent Compounds.
The chemical formula for an acid begins with a hydrogen. Acids produce hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. They are very similar to ionic compounds and we’ll use some of the mechanics for naming ionic compounds to learn how to name acids.
After watching this video, CLICK HERE for Quiz 6: Acid Nomenclature.
Organic compounds consist of mostly carbon and hydrogen, with carbon as the central atom. It’s helpful to have an understanding of Lewis Structures prior to working with organic compounds.
A good tutorial for Lewis Structures can be found here: https://www.lewisstructures.net/index.php
After watching this video, CLICK HERE for Quiz 7: Organic Compounds.
Some carbon chains in organic compounds are not attached in a straight line. Instead, these carbon chains connect to form a variety of geometric shapes. These are known as “cyclic” organic structures.
After watching this video, CLICK HERE for Quiz 8: Naming Cycloalkanes.
This video covers naming conventions for multiple bonds in organic compounds. Additionally, we learn basic rules for naming organic compounds that contain halogen groups (alkyl halides) and alcohols.
After watching this video, CLICK HERE for Quiz 9: Alkenes, Alkynes, and Other Substituents.
After you watch all 9 videos and take the quizzes, CLICK HERE for the Chemical Nomenclature Certificate.
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