Summary
Formulating is writing the composition of a chemical compound with symbols and numbers, and naming it is giving it its name. Each element brings its valency, the number of bonds it can make; by combining the elements' valencies you get the formula, with subscripts showing how many atoms of each there are.
Compounds are grouped into families. Oxides are an element with oxygen (like iron oxide); hydrides, an element with hydrogen; hydroxides carry the OH group and are the bases; and salts form when a metal combines with a non-metal. There are naming rules, the IUPAC ones, that state how to name each compound so everyone understands it the same way.
Key points
- Formulating is writing a compound's formula; naming is giving it a name.
- Valency is the number of bonds an element can make.
- Subscripts show how many atoms of each element there are (H₂O).
- Oxides: element + oxygen. Hydrides: element + hydrogen.
- Hydroxides: carry the OH group; they are the bases.
- Salts form when a metal combines with a non-metal.
- IUPAC naming sets how to name each compound.