The name for PCl3 is Phosphorus trichloride but the name for VCl3 is Vanadium (III) chloride. Which statement best explains the difference in the names for these two compounds?(1 point) Responses Vanadium is a transition metal with multiple ions so we use the Roman numeral in the name for the ionic salt while phosphorus and chlorine are both nonmetals so we use the prefix system to name covalent molecules. Vanadium is a transition metal with multiple ions so we use the Roman numeral in the name for the ionic salt while phosphorus and chlorine are both nonmetals so we use the prefix system to name covalent molecules. Chlorine can always bond in 3 places so they should be named the same. Chlorine can always bond in 3 places so they should be named the same. Vanadium and chlorine form a covalent bond so we use Roman numerals in the name, but two nonmetals form an ionic bond so we use the prefix system for phosphorus and chlorine.

Question

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The best explanation for the difference in the names of PCl3 (Phosphorus trichloride) and VCl3 (Vanadium (III) chloride) is:

Vanadium is a transition metal with multiple ions so we use the Roman numeral in the name for the ionic salt while phosphorus and chlorine are both nonmetals so we use the prefix system to name covalent molecules.

This statement accurately reflects the naming conventions: transition metals can have multiple oxidation states, thus requiring Roman numerals to indicate their specific charge in the compound. In contrast, PCl3, being a covalent compound formed from two nonmetals, is named using prefixes to denote the number of atoms present.