Binary compounds

Definition

Binary compounds are chemical compounds composed of exactly two different elements. These compounds can be either ionic or covalent in nature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Binary ionic compounds consist of a metal and a non-metal.
2. Binary covalent compounds are formed between two non-metals.
3. The naming convention for binary ionic compounds places the cation name first followed by the anion with an '-ide' suffix.
4. For binary covalent compounds, prefixes like 'mono-', 'di-', 'tri-' indicate the number of atoms present.
5. $NaCl$ (sodium chloride) is a common example of a binary ionic compound.

Review Questions

Related terms

Cation:

A positively charged ion typically formed when a metal loses electrons.

Anion: A negatively charged ion typically formed when a non-metal gains electrons.

$NaCl$:

$NaCl$, or sodium chloride, is a classic example of a binary ionic compound where sodium acts as the cation and chloride as the anion.