Multiple Choice
What is the correct name for the molecular compound with the formula NH_3?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Molecular Compounds
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What is the correct name for the covalent compound PCl_5?
A
Phosphoric pentachloride
B
Phosphorus pentachloride
C
Phosphorus pentachlorate
D
Phosphorus chloride
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the elements involved in the compound: P (phosphorus) and Cl (chlorine).
Recognize that this is a covalent compound formed between two nonmetals, so we use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms of each element.
Determine the number of atoms of each element from the formula PCl_5: 1 phosphorus atom and 5 chlorine atoms.
Use the appropriate prefixes for the number of atoms: 'mono-' for 1 (usually omitted for the first element) and 'penta-' for 5.
Combine the element names with prefixes: 'Phosphorus' (no prefix for the first element) and 'pentachloride' (prefix 'penta-' + 'chloride'), resulting in the name 'Phosphorus pentachloride'.
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