Is there a trick of naming ionic and covalent compounds? Please HELP!!!?

Answer 1

Show us an example of what you don't understand. Covalent compounds usually include radical groups such as (NO3-) or (SO4=), and these may be a problem.

Answer 2

look at the first element in the compound. if it is a nonmetal, it is covalent. If it is a metal, it is ionic. Ionic bonding follows two rules for naming the cation. rule 1, if the metal falls in groups 1,2, or 13 (IIIA) its name is element name + ion. rule 2 is if it is a transition metal or anyother metal not covered by rule one, its name is element name (roman numeral charge) and ion. the anion is just the name with -ide at the end. just put the two names together without the ion parts. to find the roman numeral charge for rule two, look at the charge of the anion first.
For covalent bonds, its simple. for the first element, its prefix then element name ( dinitrogen) for the second element its the prefix, element name, then -ide. (trioxide)
example:

SnO
Rule two, transition metal = tin (II) ion
O = Oxide ion charge of -2
This equals tin (II) oxide
Since there are no subscripts, charges cancel making tin automatically have a +2 charge (hence the roman numeral. hope this helps.