Ternary Ionic Compounds: Questions on Naming and Formulas

Questions on Ternary Ionic Compounds – Naming and Formulas

This material is designed to help students, educators, and exam candidates strengthen their understanding of ionic nomenclature and chemical formulas through targeted practice questions.  As a Science Teacher and Education Specialist, I create educational resources that combine scientific accuracy with effective teaching practices. Understanding the naming and formulas of ternary ionic compounds is a fundamental skill in chemistry because these compounds contain polyatomic ions commonly encountered in laboratory work, environmental science, and industrial applications. 

How are they formed the Ternary ionic compounds? They are composed of three or more elements and typically include at least one polyatomic ion. Learning how to name these compounds and write their formulas is an essential part of general chemistry and helps students understand ionic bonding, chemical reactions, and compound classification. Mastering ternary ionic nomenclature provides a strong foundation for advanced topics in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, and chemical engineering. Practice questions allow students to apply naming rules and recognize important compounds used in science and industry.

20 Multiple-Choice Questions: Ternary Ionic Compounds – Naming and Formulas


 Questions

    1. What is the correct name for NaNO₃?

A) Sodium nitrate

B) Sodium nitrite

C) Sodium nitrogen

D) Sodium hydroxide

E) Sodium ammonium

    2. What is the correct formula for calcium nitrate?

A) CaNO₃

B) Ca(NO₃)₂

C) Ca₂NO₃

D) Ca₂(NO₃)₂

E) CaNO₂

    3. What is the name of K₂SO₄?

A) Potassium sulfite

B) Dipotassium sulfur

C) Potassium sulfate

D) Potassium bisulfate

E) Potassium sulfurate

    4. What is the formula for ammonium sulfate?

A) NH₄₂SO₄

B) (NH₄)SO₄

C) (NH₄)₂SO₄

D) NH₄SO₄

E) (NH₃)₂SO₄

    5. What is the name of Fe(OH)₃?

A) Iron(I) hydroxide

B) Iron(II) hydroxide

C) Iron(III) hydroxide

D) Iron hydride

E) Iron oxide

    6. What is the correct name for Al₂(CO₃)₃?

A) Aluminum tricarbonate

B) Aluminum carbonite

C) Aluminum carbonate

D) Dialuminum carbonate

E) Aluminum oxide carbonate

    7. What is the formula for magnesium phosphate?

A) MgPO₄

B) Mg₃PO₄

C) Mg₃(PO₄)₂

D) Mg₂(PO₄)₃

E) Mg(PO₄)₂

    8. What is the correct name for Na₂CO₃?

A) Sodium bicarbonate

B) Sodium carbonate

C) Sodium hydroxide

D) Sodium carboxyl

E) Sodium dicarbonate

    9. What is the formula for iron(II) nitrate?

A) FeNO₃

B) Fe(NO₃)₂

C) Fe₂(NO₃)₃

D) Fe₂NO₃

E) FeNO₂

    10. What is the name of Ba(C₂H₃O₂)₂?

A) Barium ethanoate

B) Barium diacetate

C) Barium acetate

D) Barium oxalate

E) Barium acetoate

    11. What is the formula for copper(I) sulfate?

A) CuSO₄

B) Cu₂SO₄

C) CuSO₃

D) Cu₂(SO₄)₃

E) Cu(SO₄)₂

    12. What is the name of Sr(NO₂)₂?

A) Strontium nitrate

B) Strontium nitride

C) Strontium dinitride

D) Strontium nitrite

E) Strontium nitric

    13. What is the formula for ammonium carbonate?

A) NH₄CO₃

B) NH₄₂CO₃

C) (NH₄)₂CO₃

D) (NH₃)₂CO₃

E) NH₄(CO₃)₂

    14. What is the name of Ca(ClO₃)₂?

A) Calcium chlorite

B) Calcium perchlorate

C) Calcium hypochlorite

D) Calcium trichloride

E) Calcium chlorate

    15. What is the formula for zinc phosphate?

A) ZnPO₄

B) Zn₃(PO₄)₂

C) Zn₂(PO₄)₃

D) Zn₂PO₄

E) Zn(PO₄)₃

    16. What is the name of LiNO₂?

A) Lithium nitride

B) Lithium nitrate

C) Lithium nitrite

D) Lithium dinitride

E) Lithium nitrate(II)

    17. What is the formula for aluminum sulfate?

A) AlSO₄

B) Al₂(SO₄)₃

C) Al₂(SO₃)₃

D) Al(SO₄)₃

E) Al₃SO₄₂

    18. What is the name of Cu₂CO₃?

A) Copper(I) carbonate

B) Copper(II) carbonate

C) Copper bicarbonate

D) Dicopper carbonate

E) Copper(I) dicarbonate

    19. What is the formula for potassium permanganate?

A) KMnO₄

B) K₂MnO₄

C) KMnO₃

D) K₂MnO₃

E) K(MnO₄)₂

    20. What is the name of Ni₃(PO₄)₂?

A) Nickel phosphate

B) Nickel(II) phosphate

C) Nickel(III) phosphate

D) Trinickel phosphate

E) Nickel orthophosphate

 

 Answers with Explanations

    1. A) Sodium nitrate – Na⁺ and NO₃⁻ combine to form NaNO₃.

    2. B) Ca(NO₃)₂ – Calcium (Ca²⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) → two NO₃⁻ needed.

    3. C) Potassium sulfate – K⁺ and SO₄²⁻ → K₂SO₄.

    4. C) (NH₄)₂SO₄ – Ammonium (NH₄⁺) ×2 balances SO₄²⁻.

    5. C) Iron(III) hydroxide – Fe³⁺ + 3OH⁻ → Fe(OH)₃.

    6. C) Aluminum carbonate – Al³⁺ and CO₃²⁻ → Al₂(CO₃)₃.

    7. C) Mg₃(PO₄)₂ – 3 Mg²⁺ and 2 PO₄³⁻ to balance charges.

    8. B) Sodium carbonate – Na⁺ and CO₃²⁻ → Na₂CO₃.

    9. B) Fe(NO₃)₂ – Fe²⁺ and NO₃⁻ ×2 → iron(II) nitrate.

    10. C) Barium acetate – Ba²⁺ + 2 acetate (C₂H₃O₂⁻).

    11. B) Cu₂SO₄ – 2 Cu⁺ needed to balance SO₄²⁻.

    12. D) Strontium nitrite – Sr²⁺ and NO₂⁻ ×2 → Sr(NO₂)₂.

    13. C) (NH₄)₂CO₃ – 2 NH₄⁺ to balance CO₃²⁻.

    14. E) Calcium chlorate – Ca²⁺ and ClO₃⁻ ×2.

    15. B) Zn₃(PO₄)₂ – Zn²⁺ and PO₄³⁻ → 3:2 ratio.

    16. C) Lithium nitrite – Li⁺ and NO₂⁻.

    17. B) Al₂(SO₄)₃ – 2 Al³⁺ and 3 SO₄²⁻.

    18. A) Copper(I) carbonate – Cu⁺ and CO₃²⁻ → Cu₂CO₃.

    19. A) KMnO₄ – Potassium permanganate.

    20. B) Nickel(II) phosphate – 3 Ni²⁺ and 2 PO₄³⁻.


Practical Classroom Applications

• Introduce Polyatomic Ions

Teach students the structure and charges of common polyatomic ions such as nitrate, sulfate, carbonate, and phosphate.

• Create Reference Charts

Develop tables containing polyatomic ions and their formulas to reinforce memorization and pattern recognition.

• Practice Formula Writing

Have students translate compound names into chemical formulas and convert formulas back into names.

• Compare Binary and Ternary Ionic Compounds

Highlight the differences between simple ionic compounds and compounds containing polyatomic ions.

• Explore Environmental Applications

Discuss the role of nitrates, phosphates, and carbonates in water quality, agriculture, and ecosystems.

• Investigate Industrial Uses

Examine how ionic compounds are used in fertilizers, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and chemical manufacturing.

• Strengthen Chemical Vocabulary

Reinforce scientific terminology and nomenclature rules used in chemistry courses and laboratories.

• Prepare for Exams

Use the questions as review material for middle school, high school, AP Chemistry, and introductory college chemistry classes.


compartilhe compartilhe

Share Social !


Ronaldo Silva: Professor and Specialist in Science Education from University Federal FLuminense/RJ, with over 25 years of teaching experience..

 
About | Terms of Use | Cookies Polices | Privacy

Questions: Science, Math and Chemistry

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.