What is the correct name for the molecular compound N_2O_5?

• A. Nitrogen pentoxide
• B. Dinitrogen dioxide
• C. Nitrogen dioxide
• D. Dinitrogen pentoxide

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements present in the compound: N (nitrogen) and O (oxygen).
2. Determine the number of atoms of each element in the formula: N_2O_5 means 2 nitrogen atoms and 5 oxygen atoms.
3. Recall the naming rules for molecular (covalent) compounds: use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms (mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, etc.). The prefix 'di-' is used for 2 and 'penta-' for 5.
4. Name the first element with its full name and the appropriate prefix (except 'mono-' is usually omitted for the first element), so 'dinitrogen' for N_2.
5. Name the second element with its prefix and change the ending to '-ide', so 'pentoxide' for O_5, resulting in the full name 'dinitrogen pentoxide'.