The name for PCl5 is Phosphorus pentachloride but the name for VCl5 is Vanadium (V) chloride. Which statement best explains the difference in the names for these two compounds?(1 point) Responses 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. 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. 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 5 places so they should be named the same.

Answer 1

The statement that best explains the difference in the names for these two compounds 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 is because vanadium can exhibit different oxidation states, requiring the use of Roman numerals to indicate its specific oxidation state in the compound. In contrast, PCl5 is a covalent compound made up of two nonmetals, and the prefix system is used to denote the number of atoms in the molecule.