Naming compounds
I can name compounds from their chemical formulae.
Naming compounds
I can name compounds from their chemical formulae.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The name of a simple metal–non-metal compound ends '-ide' to indicate bonding has occurred.
- Some common groups of compounds are metal carbonates, metal sulfates and metal nitrates.
- Compounds of metal atoms bonded to -CO₃ are called metal carbonates.
- Compounds of metal atoms bonded to -SO₄ are called metal sulfates.
- Compounds of metal atoms bonded to -NO₃ are called metal nitrates.
Keywords
Metal sulfate - Compound is made of a metal bonded to a sulfate group. The sulphate group is -SO₄.
Metal carbonate - Compound is made of a metal bonded to a carbonate group. The carbonate group is -CO₃.
Metal nitrate - Compound is made of a metal bonded to a nitrate group. The nitrate group is -NO₃.
Common misconception
Students often forget to change the non-metal name to either -ide or -ate.
Emphasise when the non-metal reacts with a metal it changes its name to -ide. It is -ate if the non-metal is also bonded to oxygen.
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Naming compounds, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Naming compounds, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Atoms, elements and compounds unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Different elements and / or compounds not chemically bonded together.
How atoms combine together in a chemical reaction.
Made from two or more different elements chemically bonded together.
Made up from two or more non-metal atoms chemically bonded together.

Exit quiz
6 Questions

potassium bromide
copper oxide
sodium nitrate
calcium sulfide
zinc sulfate
magnesium carbonate