Question

What is the chemical formula of the ionic compound for \[NaF\]?

Answer 1

Hint: We know that the given compound is the ionic compound where \[Na\] represents sodium ion and \[F\] represents the fluorine ion. One of them will be negative and the other will be positive which will then comprise the proper name of the compound.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Let us see the basics before naming any chemical compound; There are general rules to be followed while naming any compound, which is simple ionic compounds as; the positive ion i.e. cation is named in the first place and is the same as its chemical elemental name. Sodium will form the most ionic compound with higher electronegative atoms for the smaller anion. As fluorine is highly electronegative than other atoms and has the smallest size too, sodium fluoride is more ionic than other molecules.

Fluorine as a compound to other elements is more electronegative because it requires only one electron to complete an octet and attain stability. Also, the distance at which the valence electrons is the minimum as compared with other elements having \[7\] electrons in the outermost orbit.

The negative ion i.e. anion is named at last place and is named by putting a suffix -ide’ at the end of the name. Thus, considering the given compound i.e. \[NaF\]; The name can be stated as \[Na\] will be the positive ion and fluoride will be a negative ion i.e. the name will be stated as Sodium fluoride according to the above-stated rules.

Note: Remember that do note that the rules of naming any compound are very specific restricted as stated above. They cannot be changed at any condition, though has some exceptions on higher-level classes of chemistry (not the point of discussion.