Problem 131 - Chemistry An Atoms First Approach

Question

The formulas and common names for several substances are given below. Give the systematic names for these substances. a. sugar of lead b. blue vitrol c. quicklime d. Epsom salts e. milk of magnesia f. gypsum g. laughing gas \(\mathrm{Pb}\left(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{2}\right)_{2}\) \(\mathrm{CuSO}_{4}\) CaO \(\mathrm{MgSO}_{4}\) \(\mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\) \(\mathrm{CaSO}_{4}\) \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}\)

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The systematic names for the given substances are as follows: a. Lead(II) acetate b. Copper(II) sulfate c. Calcium oxide d. Magnesium sulfate e. Magnesium hydroxide f. Calcium sulfate g. Nitrous oxide

Step 1: Substance a: Sugar of Lead

The chemical formula for sugar of lead is \(\mathrm{Pb}(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{2})_{2}\). The systematic name for this substance is Lead(II) acetate.

Step 2: Substance b: Blue Vitrol

The chemical formula for blue vitrol is \(\mathrm{CuSO}_{4}\). The systematic name for this substance is Copper(II) sulfate.

Step 3: Substance c: Quicklime

The chemical formula for quicklime is CaO. The systematic name for this substance is Calcium oxide.

Step 4: Substance d: Epsom Salts

The chemical formula for Epsom salts is \(\mathrm{MgSO}_{4}\). The systematic name for this substance is Magnesium sulfate.

Step 5: Substance e: Milk of Magnesia

The chemical formula for milk of magnesia is \(\mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\). The systematic name for this substance is Magnesium hydroxide.

Step 6: Substance f: Gypsum

The chemical formula for gypsum is \(\mathrm{CaSO}_{4}\). The systematic name for this substance is Calcium sulfate.

Step 7: Substance g: Laughing Gas

The chemical formula for laughing gas is \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}\). The systematic name for this substance is Nitrous oxide.

Key Concepts

Systematic Names

Systematic names are important in chemistry because they provide a standardized way to identify chemical substances. Unlike common names, which can vary based on region or tradition, systematic names are universally recognized. Systematic names follow a set of rules established by organizations such as IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry).

These rules take into account the composition and structure of the molecule. In the case of Lead(II) acetate, for instance, the "Lead(II)" denotes the oxidation state of lead, and "acetate" indicates the acetate group \((\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{2})^{-}\). Systematic naming ensures that anyone reading the name can immediately understand something about the compound’s structure.

Chemical Formulas

A chemical formula represents the elements in a compound and the ratio in which they are combined. Each element is denoted by its chemical symbol, while subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in the compound. For example, the chemical formula \(\mathrm{CuSO}_{4}\) tells us that copper, sulfur, and oxygen are present in the compound in a fixed ratio of 1:1:4.

Understanding chemical formulas is essential because they reveal a lot about the substance's makeup. For instance, \(\mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\), magnesium hydroxide, shows us that there are two hydroxide ions bonded to a single magnesium ion. Chemical formulas are the basic building blocks for understanding how compounds react with each other.

Inorganic Compounds

Inorganic compounds are compounds that do not have carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds. They can contain carbon, but their defining feature is the absence of C-H bonds, distinguishing them from organic compounds.

Examples of inorganic compounds from this exercise include Calcium oxide \(\mathrm{CaO}\) and Nitrous oxide \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\mathrm{O}\). These substances are pervasive in both natural and industrial applications. Inorganic compounds can be salts, metals, minerals, or other substances, and they perform a crucial role in various chemical processes and applications.

Common Names

Common names for chemicals emerged long before the development of systematic nomenclature. These names often describe some characteristic of the substance, its origin, or its use. Take 'Gypsum' for instance, which is Calcium sulfate \(\mathrm{CaSO}_{4}\), a mineral commonly found in plaster and drywall.

While common names can be easy to remember and often carry historical significance, they can sometimes lead to confusion due to their lack of standardization. This is why systematic names are preferred for academic and professional communication, ensuring universal understanding and reducing miscommunication.