Question

How can you name chemical compounds from their formulae in the following cases?

Give examples in support of your answer

If the compound is base

Answer 1

Definition of formula

A chemical formula shows the elements that make up the compound and the number of atoms of each element is the smallest unit of that compound, be it a molecule or a formula unit.

Arrhenius bases are defined as compounds that cause the formation of the hydroxide ion when placed in water. One example of an Arrhenius base is sodium hydroxide $\left(\mathrm{NaOH}\right)$:

• $\mathrm{NaOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {\mathrm{Na}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{OH}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

Bases typically have "OH" in their formulas, though there are exceptions. For example, ammonia $\left({\mathrm{NH}}_3\right)$doesn't contain hydroxide ions but forms them when it reacts with water:

• ${\mathrm{NH}}_3\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to {{\mathrm{NH}}_4}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{OH}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

The names and formulas of some common bases are in the following table:

Base Name	Formula
ammonia	${\mathrm{NH}}_3$
potassium hydroxide	$\mathrm{KOH}$
sodium bicarbonate	${\mathrm{NaHCO}}_3$
sodium carbonate	${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3$
sodium hydroxide	$\mathrm{NaOH}$