New Jersey Chemistry Olympics - 2009

Event 6: Chemical Nomenclature

Objectives

Determine, in a timely manner, the names and formulas of 50 different organic and inorganic compounds

Guidelines

• This event must be completed by a team of 3 students.
• Each of the three students will work independently on separate tests at the same time.   Once they have completed their test, a raw score will be determined by combining the scores of the three individuals.
• Students will be required to name:
  • common ions (ex: nitrate)
  • salts (ex: NaCl)
  • binary molecular compounds (ex: CO₂)
  • Acids (ex:  H₃PO₄)
  • common substances (ex:  gypsum, brimstone)
  • organic compounds (ex: dichlorobenzene)
  • coordination compounds (ex: tetrachloronitrocobalt (III) chloride)
• The test must be completed within a 25-minute session.
• Schools with multiple teams must compete during the same session.
• A computerized test customized for the NJCO will be used in this competition.  A copy of the program, with a sample data base will be mailed to participating schools during the week of March 1st.
• The data base used in the competition contains up to six "right" answers (ex: N₂O:  nitrous oxide, nitrogen (I) oxide, dinitrogen monoxide, laughing gas, hyponitrous acid anhydride, factitious air)
• It is imperative that students familiarize themselves with using the software.  The entry of answers requires the proper use of subscripts and superscripts and well as the use of proper spacing.  The program is not difficult to use, but it does require practice to achieve competitive results.  A copy of the program, with a sample data base will be mailed to participating schools during the week of March 1st.

Judging Criteria

• Teams earn up to 2 points for each answer (between 0.2 - 2.0 points) for a total individual score of 100 points. The time taken to complete the test will also be considered in scoring.  The team’s score for this event will be determined by averaging the three individual scores.  
• The American version of the rules of nomenclature as established by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), found in the most recent edition of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry & Physics will be used in guiding judging.

Event Designed by James Grow, NJIT

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Last Updated January 04, 2009