Question

Write chemical names of the following compound:
$A{g_2}S{O_3}$

Answer 1

Chemical nomenclature is the set of rules that is used to generate systematic names for chemical compounds. The nomenclature used is widely accepted and certified by the IUPAC (International union of pure and applied chemistry). Every compound is named according to the nomenclature rules laid by the IUPAC. However, a few chemicals are known better by the common names given to them based on their functions or any other characteristics of the compound.

Complete Step by Step answer:
We know that all the compounds are named after the rules set by the IUPAC norms. The major division among compounds is that they are either organic or inorganic. Organic compounds are usually formed by the atoms carbon and hydrogen. However inorganic compounds can contain any other atoms. Thus, the naming system of inorganic compounds is more elaborate.
The cation should be mentioned if the compound is a binary compound.
The anion should be suffixed based on the valency they show in the compound.
If there are more than 2 ions, then the naming might contain substituent names.
We are supposed to name the compound, $A{g_2}S{O_3}$ . We can clearly see that the given compound is not a hydrocarbon compound and hence is not organic. It is an inorganic compound. We also know that Silver $\left( {Ag} \right)$ is a cation/ an ion with positive charge while $SO_3^{2 - }$ is an ion with $- 2$ charge. Thus, among the two ions in the given binary inorganic compound, silver is more electropositive. Hence silver is named first, followed by the name of the anion with corresponding suffix added.
$SO_3^{2 - }$ is an ion of sulphur trioxide with charge $- 2$ . Thus, the name of the ion is suffixed with ‘ite’.
Now $A{g_2}S{O_3}$ is chemically named as Silver Sulphite

Note:
The anion would be named sulphate if the ion was $SO_4^{2 - }$ , it would be named sulphide if the ion was ${S^{ - 2}}$ . Just like the naming of anion varies according to the electronegativity of the ion.