Question

quiz 3_chap 7: covalent molecules
which is the correct name for the compound $n_2o_3$?
\bigcirc dinitro trioxide
\bigcirc nitrogen(ii) oxide
\bigcirc dinitrogen trioxide
\bigcirc trinitrogen dioxide

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Naming Covalent Compounds

For covalent compounds (like \( \text{N}_2\text{O}_3 \)), we use prefixes to indicate the number of each atom. The prefixes are: 1 - mono, 2 - di, 3 - tri, 4 - tetra, etc. (Note: "mono" is often omitted for the first element if there's only one, but used for the second element if needed).

Step2: Analyze \( \text{N}_2\text{O}_3 \)

• The first element is nitrogen (N), with 2 atoms. So we use the prefix "di" before nitrogen, making it "dinitrogen".
• The second element is oxygen (O), with 3 atoms. We use the prefix "tri" before oxygen (and change the ending to -ide for the second element in covalent naming), making it "trioxide".

Step3: Evaluate Options

• "dinitro trioxide": Incorrect, the first element should be "dinitrogen" (not "dinitro").
• "nitrogen(II) oxide": This is the ionic naming (stock system) for a compound with a metal or metal-like element, but nitrogen and oxygen form a covalent compound here, so stock system is not used. Also, the formula for nitrogen(II) oxide would be \( \text{NO} \), not \( \text{N}_2\text{O}_3 \).
• "dinitrogen trioxide": Matches the prefixes for 2 N and 3 O.
• "trinitrogen dioxide": Incorrect, the number of N is 2 (not 3) and O is 3 (not 2).

Answer:

dinitrogen trioxide