What are the steps to name polyatomic atoms?

The cation is written first in the name; the anion is written second in the name.

Rule 2. When the formula unit contains two or more of the same polyatomic ion, that ion is written in parentheses with the subscript written outside the parentheses.

Rule 3. If the cation is a metal ion with a fixed charge, the name of the cation is the same as the (neutral) element from which it is derived (e.g., Na+ = "sodium"). If the cation is a metal ion with a variable charge, the charge on the cation is indicated using a Roman numeral, in parentheses, immediately following the name of the cation (e.g., Fe3+ = "iron(III)").

Rule 4. If the anion is a monatomic ion, the anion is named by adding the suffix -ide to the root of the element name (e.g., I- = "iodide").

Note: Greek prefixes are not used to indicate the number of atoms, or polyatomic ions, in the formula unit for the compound (e.g., Ca(NO3)2 is named "calcium nitrate" not "calciuim dinitrate").

Explanation:

in theory, limestone is composed principally of the compound calcium carbonate - caco3, but in reality this compound is deposited in conditions involving a number of other compounds as impurities so it ends up being a mixture of many compounds.

hope this : -)

tony (lordcaos066)