Question

If a compound is made from a metal element and a non-metal element, which element goes first in the name?

Answer 1

In the naming of a compound made from a metal element and a non-metal element, the metal element is always named first, followed by the non-metal element. The non-metal is typically modified to end in "-ide." For example, in the compound sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium is the metal and chloride is derived from chlorine, the non-metal.