What is the chemical name of the compound N2O5? Group of answer choices Nitrogen Oxide (V) Dinitrogen pentaoxide Nitrogen (II) Oxide 2-Nitrogen 5-Oxide
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct chemical name for N2O5 is Dinitrogen pentoxide.
Explanation:
To determine the name of a covalent compound like N2O5, we follow the rules of naming binary molecular compounds. These rules focus on the number of atoms of each element involved and the use of prefixes to indicate the quantity of each element. Here’s a breakdown:
- Covalent Bonding: N2O5 is a covalent compound because it consists of two nonmetals: nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O). In covalent compounds, atoms share electrons rather than transferring them (as in ionic compounds).
- Prefix System: In molecular naming, prefixes are used to indicate the number of atoms of each element:
- Mono- is used for one atom, but it is not used for the first element in a compound.
- Di- is used for two atoms.
- Penta- is used for five atoms.
- Nitrogen (N): The compound contains two nitrogen atoms, so we use the prefix “di-“ to indicate this.
- Oxygen (O): The compound contains five oxygen atoms, so we use the prefix “penta-“.
- Naming: The first element, nitrogen, is named as it appears on the periodic table, followed by the second element, oxygen, with the appropriate prefix to indicate its quantity. Therefore, the compound is named dinitrogen pentoxide.
Thus, N2O5 is named dinitrogen pentoxide because it has 2 nitrogen atoms and 5 oxygen atoms.
Why Not the Other Choices?
- Nitrogen Oxide (V): The Roman numeral “V” typically indicates the oxidation state of an element in a compound. However, this is not the standard way to name covalent compounds like N2O5.
- Nitrogen (II) Oxide: This refers to a different compound (NO), where nitrogen has a +2 oxidation state, not applicable to N2O5.
- 2-Nitrogen 5-Oxide: This format is unconventional and does not follow standard chemical nomenclature.
Hence, dinitrogen pentoxide is the correct name.
