Ionic compounds are compounds made up of ions. These ions are atoms that gain or lose electrons, giving them a net positive or negative charge. Metals tend to lose electrons, so they become cations and have a net positive charge. Nonmetals tend to gain electrons, forming anions that have a net negative charge.
Also know, what is a ternary compound in chemistry?
In inorganic chemistry, a ternary compound is a compound containing three different elements. An example is sodium phosphate, Na3PO4. The sodium ion has a charge of 1+ and the phosphate ion has a charge of 3-. Therefore, three sodium ions are needed to balance the charge of one phosphate ion.
How do you name a ternary compound?
Ternary ionic commpounds are made up of a metal and a polyatomic ion. Be sure you can identify the type of compound before naming or writing formulas! Name the metal (usually the the first element in the formula) as it appears on the Periodic Table. Use the Common Ion Table to write the name for the polyatomic ion.
Why are parentheses used in ternary ionic compounds?
Writing a formula for a ternary ionic compound also involves the same steps as for a binary ionic compound. Write the symbol and charge of the cation followed by the symbol and charge of the anion. Parentheses are used around the nitrate ion because more than one of the polyatomic ion is needed.