When an atom gains electrons to become a negatively charged ion, its elemental name is altered to end in which suffix (e.g. chlorine becomes chloride)?
A"-ate"
B"-ite"
C"-ide"
D"-ium"
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. "-ide"
1. Negative ions formed by simple, single-element gain of electrons follow a consistent naming pattern.
2. The text states: "Anions are designated by their elemental name being altered to end in '-ide': the anion of chlorine is called chloride, and the anion of sulfur is called sulfide."
3. "-ate" and "-ite" are suffixes used for certain polyatomic (multi-element) ions instead, and "-ium" is typically used for naming cations or element names themselves, not simple anions.
4. So the correct suffix for a simple anion's name is "-ide."
_Source: OpenStax Biology Ch 2 "The Chemical Foundation of Life", p.40 §2.1 | Atoms, Isotopes, Ions, and Molecules: The Building Blocks_
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