Question

What is the correct name for `MgF_2`?

Answer 1

Magnesium (II) fluoride or simply magnesium fluoride

Explanation:

Simple salts such as this (that is, those with only cation (positively charged species) and one anion (negatively charged species)) have the nomenclature given by

`M\e\t\al` `(char\g\e)` `anion`

We know from the compound given that the metal is magnesium, the anion is fluoride and that the charge of the metal is

`MgF_2 rarr Mg^(+2) + 2F^(-)`

two, or II, so we can build the name to be

Magnesium (II) fluoride.

But since magnesium is usually either found as a metal (charge 0) or as a salt in charge (II), we can omit the charge, so saying

Magnesium fluoride

Isn't wrong.