Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 8: Problem 131

Some chemists think that helium should properly be called "helon." Why? What does the ending in helium (-ium) suggest?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The '-ium' suffix in element names usually indicates a metal. Since helium is a non-metal, some chemists argue that to follow proper naming conventions, it should be called 'Helon'.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the naming conventions

Element names in chemistry often follow a convention where the suffix '-ium' is used for metals (e.g., Potassium, Sodium).
02

Understanding Helium's properties

Helium, denoted by He on the periodic table, is a non-metal and is classified under the Noble Gases.
03

Understanding why Helium should be 'Helon'?

Given that helium is a non-metal, some chemists argue that its name should follow the convention for non-metals and hence, be named 'Helon', rather than 'Helium'.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

List all the common ions of representative elements and transition metals that are isoelectronic with Ar.

Use your knowledge of thermochemistry to calculate the \(\Delta H\) for the following processes: (a) \(\mathrm{Cl}^{-}(g) \longrightarrow\) \(\mathrm{Cl}^{+}(g)+2 e^{-} ;(\mathrm{b}) \mathrm{K}^{+}(g)+2 e^{-} \longrightarrow \mathrm{K}^{-}(g)\)

The air in a manned spacecraft or submarine needs to be purified of exhaled carbon dioxide. Write equations for the reactions between carbon dioxide and (a) lithium oxide \(\left(\mathrm{Li}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right),\) (b) sodium peroxide \(\left(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2}\right),\) and \((\mathrm{c})\) potassium superoxide \(\left(\mathrm{KO}_{2}\right)\)

In general, atomic radius and ionization energy have opposite periodic trends. Why?

Most transition metal ions are colored. For example, a solution of \(\mathrm{CuSO}_{4}\) is blue. How would you show that the blue color is due to the hydrated \(\mathrm{Cu}^{2+}\) ions and not the \(\mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-}\) ions?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Chemical Analysis

Read Explanation

Making Measurements

Read Explanation

Nuclear Chemistry

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free