What is the correct name for the molecular compound with the formula NO_2?

• A. Nitrogen dioxide
• B. Nitrogen oxide
• C. Nitrous oxide
• D. Dinitrogen oxide

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements present in the molecular formula NO_2: nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O).
2. Determine the number of atoms of each element in the molecule: 1 nitrogen atom and 2 oxygen atoms.
3. Recall the naming conventions for molecular compounds, which use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms: 'mono-' for 1, 'di-' for 2, etc. The prefix 'mono-' is often omitted for the first element.
4. Apply the prefixes to the elements: since there is 1 nitrogen atom, no prefix is used for nitrogen; for 2 oxygen atoms, use the prefix 'di-'.
5. Combine the element names with the prefixes and modify the second element's ending to '-ide', resulting in the name 'Nitrogen dioxide'.