Question

What is the name of the binary compound Mg3 (PO3)2?

magnesium phosphate

magnesium phosphide

tri magnesium diphosphite

magnesium phosphite


I'm guessing it's the first or third but can someone please explain? Thank you!

Answer 1

@Preetha maybe you can help? please :)

Answer 2

Alright, a7, now tell me what you know. Lets do it together.what sort of a compound is this?

Answer 3

thank you. well umm what do you mean? like is it a ionic or covalent compound?

Answer 4

Yes. Then I will ask you how you name them. so be prepared.

Answer 5

well im not sure if its ionic or covalent. im guessing it's Covalent? and about naming them, I was guessing maybe it was the third one because there was three magnisiums and two phosphates in tri magnesium diphosphite

Answer 6

First rule. If it has a metal in it, it is most likely, at your level, ionic. Does it have a metal in it?

Answer 7

no i dont think any of them are metals

Answer 8

WE have a big problem. You need to know your metals and your nonmetals first. Go back to your chapter on periodic table, and learn to recognize them. In general, the first two groups are always metals and the last two are always nonmetals. Mg in in the second group and is a metal. So this is an ionic compound. YOu now need to go back to your notes and find the rules for naming ionic compounds.

Answer 9

oh i thought the metals were only the ones in the middle group. so now i know it is an ionic bond. what do I do now to know the name of the compound?

Answer 10

If you promise to look through your textbook, I'll tell you.
IF it is an ionic compound, and binary (only two different elements), you start with naming the metal, "Magnesium" and then add the anion name ending in a -ide. Because the anion comes from Phosphorus, you name it phosphide.
It is Magnesium Phosphide.
If the metal is from the middle (transition metals) then you have to indicate the charge on the metal with a (II) or (III) or what ever. Not for Magnesium.

Answer 11

okay thank you. ill add what you said to my notes. I don't have a text book I only do an online course so it's kinda hard when i have to teach myself.

Answer 12

Your online course must be having content some where.
http://seattlecentral.edu/faculty/mvillarba/CHEM121/NamingCompoundsHandout.pdf

Answer 13

aww thank you that is very helpful!!!!

Answer 14

Magnesium Phosphide is wrong btw :(

Answer 15

It's magnesium phosphite.