Question

question

1. a student writes the name for mgf₂ as magnesium (ii) fluoride. why is this incorrect?

a) the name of the metal is manganese.
b) the name of the anion is fluorine not fluoride.
c) f does not have a roman numeral in the name.
d) mg is not a transition element; thus, it does not need to have a roman numeral on its name.

Explanation:

• Option A: The symbol \(Mg\) stands for magnesium, not manganese (\(Mn\)). So this option is incorrect.
• Option B: The anion \(F^{-}\) is named fluoride. Fluorine is the element (\(F\)). So this option is incorrect.
• Option C: The issue is not with the anion (\(F\)) having a Roman numeral. Roman numerals in ionic compound names are related to the cation's charge (for metals that can have variable charges). So this option is incorrect.
• Option D: Magnesium (\(Mg\)) is an alkaline - earth metal (Group 2A). It has a fixed charge of \(+ 2\). Roman numerals are used for transition metals (and some post - transition metals) that have variable charges. Since \(Mg\) is not a transition metal and has a fixed charge, it does not need a Roman numeral in its name.

Answer:

D. Mg is not a transition element; thus, it does not need to have a roman numeral on its name.