What does the ending -ide mean in the name of an ionic compound?

1 Answer
Meave60
Jan 12, 2018

The ending -ide on the name of an ion means that it is a negatively charged ion, or anion.

Explanation:

It means that it is a negatively charged ion, called an anion.

#"NaF"# is sodium fluoride with #"F"^(-)"# as the anion.

#"MgO"# is magnesium oxide with #"O"^(2-)"# as the anion.

#"CaCl"_2# is calcium chloride with #"Cl"^(-)# as the anion.

#"Mg"_3"N"_2"# is magnesium nitride with #"N"^(3-)# as the anion.

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