What is the correct name for the compound with the formula CO_2?

• A. Carbon dioxide
• B. Carbon oxide
• C. Dicarbon monoxide
• D. Carbon monoxide

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements present in the compound CO_2. Here, C stands for carbon and O stands for oxygen.
2. Determine the number of atoms of each element in the compound. CO_2 has 1 carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms.
3. Recall the naming conventions for binary molecular compounds: use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms (mono-, di-, tri-, etc.), except that 'mono-' is often omitted for the first element.
4. Apply the prefixes to the elements: since there is one carbon atom, we just say 'carbon'; for two oxygen atoms, use the prefix 'di-' and modify oxygen to 'oxide' to indicate it is the second element.
5. Combine the parts to form the name: 'carbon' + 'di' + 'oxide' = 'carbon dioxide'.