How do you name hydrated salt?

To name a hydrated salt, follow these steps:

1. Identify the cation (positive ion) and the anion (negative ion) in the salt. The cation is usually a metal and the anion is usually a nonmetal or polyatomic ion.

2. Write the name of the cation first, followed by the name of the anion. For example, if the cation is magnesium (Mg) and the anion is sulfate (SO4), the name of the salt is magnesium sulfate.

3. Determine the number of water molecules associated with each formula unit of the salt. This is the number that follows the dot in the formula. For example, in the formula MgSO4.7H2O, there are 7 water molecules.

4. Write the word "hydrate" after the name of the salt, preceded by a prefix that indicates the number of water molecules. Use the prefixes "mono-" for one, "di-" for two, "tri-" for three, "tetra-" for four, "penta-" for five, "hexa-" for six, "hepta-" for seven, "octa-" for eight, "nona-" for nine, and "deca-" for ten. For example, MgSO4.7H2O is named magnesium sulfate heptahydrate.

5. If there is more than one of a particular ion in the formula, use parentheses and a subscript to indicate the number. For example, (NH4)2SO4 is named ammonium sulfate, not "two ammonium sulfate".

6. If the salt is an acid salt, the name of the anion ends in "-ate" or "-ite". For example, NaHCO3 is named sodium bicarbonate, not "sodium hydrogen carbonate".