Question

so i was wondering if some one could explain to me what nomenclature is, and what diatomics(and ochtomics?!) are and how do you write compounds and stuff. My chem teacher is really vague and its really annoying he gave us these equations with like metal+oxygen---> metal oxide which makes sense but he didnt explain others like acids + base---> salt and water... im sorry for the huge question

Answer 1

Diatomic molecules are those which are made up of two atoms only. They can have the same or different atoms: hydrogen gas is diatomic and is written H2, oxygen in our atmosphere is mostly O2 and is also diatomic. Carbon monoxide is diatomic but carbon dioxide is not because there are three atoms in the molecule. I guess octatomic molecules have eight atoms.

As for the rest of the question: nomenclature is another word for a naming system: in Chemistry H2(g) is standard nomenclature for diatomic hydrogen gas. As for the last bit, you'll just have to learn that an acid base reaction gives a salt eg hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide gives sodium chloride and water.