Which of the following is the correct name for N_2O_5?

• A. dinitrogen pentoxide
• B. nitrogen pentoxide
• C. dinitrogen dioxide
• D. nitrogen dioxide

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular formula given: \(N_2O_5\).
2. Recognize that this is a binary molecular compound composed of two nonmetals: nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O).
3. Use the prefixes to indicate the number of atoms of each element: 'di-' for 2 and 'penta-' for 5.
4. Name the first element (nitrogen) with its appropriate prefix: 'dinitrogen'.
5. Name the second element (oxygen) with its prefix and change the ending to '-oxide', resulting in 'pentoxide', so the full name is 'dinitrogen pentoxide'.