In this video we'll write the correct name for Mg3P2. To write the name for Mg3P2 we’ll use the Periodic Table and follow some simple rules.

-----Essential Information for Naming Simple Ionic Compounds -----

Metal + Non-Metal = Ionic Compound
(for example, CaCl2, KBr, or Al3N2)

-----Steps to Name Binary Simple Ionic Compounds-----

1) Name the metal (the cation) as it appears on the Periodic Table.
Na+ = Sodium, Mg2+ = Magnesium, Al3+ = Aluminum

2)For the non-metal (the anion) write the name on the Periodic Table and then replace the ending with ide.
CaCl2 = Calcium chlorine = Calcium chloride
AlN = Aluminum nitrogen = Aluminum nitride
Na2O = Sodium oxygen = Sodium oxide
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For a complete tutorial on naming and formula writing for compounds, like Magnesium phosphide and more, visit:

http://www.breslyn.org/chemistry/naming


Drawing/writing done in InkScape. Screen capture done with Camtasia Studio 4.0. Done on a Dell Dimension laptop computer with a Wacom digital tablet (Bamboo).