What is the chemical name for "Na"_2"O"Na2O ?

1 Answer
Stefan V.
Mar 24, 2018

Sodium oxide.

Explanation:

The first thing to notice here is that this compound contains a metal, sodium, and a nonmetal, oxygen, so right from the start, you know that you're dealing with an ionic compound.

Now, sodium is located in group 1 of the Periodic Table, which means that an atom of sodium has 11 valence electron. In order to complete its octet, sodium will lose this valence electron and form the sodium cation, "Na"^(+)Na+.

Oxygen, on the other hand, is located in group 16 of the Periodic Table, which means that an atom of oxygen has 66 valence electrons. In order to complete its octet, oxygen takes in 22 electrons and forms the oxide anion, "O"^(2-)O2−.

In order to name this compound, use the name of the cation first and the name of the anion last.

You will have

"Na"_ 2"O" -> 2color(blue)(["Na"]^(+)) + color(red)(["O"]^(2-)) -> color(blue)("sodium") quad color(red)("oxide")

Notice that the sodium cation carries a 1+ charge and the oxide anion carries a 2- charge, which is why you need 2 sodium cations to balance the overall negative charge coming from 1 oxide anion.

![https://sites.google.com/site/ellesmerealevelchemistry/module-2-foundations-in-chemistry/2-2-electrons-bonding-and-structure/2-2-2-bonding-and-structure/2-2-2-ionic-bonding/2-2-2-a-ionic-bonding-and-dot-cross-diagrams](useruploads.socratic.orguseruploads.socratic.org)

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