Naming and Balancing Compounds

Balancing Equation~~
We want the number of reactant atoms to match the number of atoms on the product side.
Here are some rules that can help you when balancing equations!
1. Balance the atoms that occur in only one molecule
2. Balance whole groups of atoms (polyatomic atoms)
3. Do not jump from one element to another without fully balancing it first
4. Balance atoms that do not combine with others last ( such as S8, O2, or P4)

Example:
S8 + O2----> SO3
Because there are 8 sulfur atoms in the reactant side, the coefficient infront of SO3 should be 8.

S8 + O2 ----> 8SO3
8x3=24, since there are 24 oxide atoms on the product side, the coefficient infront of O2 should be 12.

S8 + 12O2 ----> 8SO3
Lastly, REMEBER TO PUT THE 1 INFRONT OF S8.
the balanced equation is:
1S8 + 12O2 ----> 8SO3

Here is a great link to a tutoral that will help you practice your balancing equations knowledge. It is very interactive!

Naming compounds:
Ionic compounds: name the metal and drop the ending of the non-metal and add "ide"
Li2O = lithium oxide

Polyatomics: Name the metal, name the polyatomic ion
KNO3 = potassium nitrate

Multiple Charges: Name the metal, write its charge in roman numerals in brackets, and then name the non-metal with "ide" at the end
PbO2 = Lead (IV) oxide

Covalent compounds:
write the prefixes infront of the element names and change the ending of the second non-metal to end in "ide"
Note: if the first element in the compound is one, do not at mono infront of it.
example: CO2 = carbon dioxide



prefixes

 Acids:
Simple Acids: HF = Hydrofluoric acid
write hydro for the hydrogen atom and write out flourine but change the ending to "ic acid"
                        
Complex Acid: HNO3 = Nitric acid
drop the hydro and change the ending to "ic acid" if the polyatomic ion ends in "ate"            

H2SO3 = Sulfurous Acid
drop the hydro, change the ending to "ous acid" if the polyatomic ends in "ite"  

This video will explain the differences when naming acids in detail.