Common Chemical Compounds and Their Everyday Names Trivia Word Search

This ion, OH-, combines with sodium to form a strong base used in soap-making.

This aromatic waxy compound from a namesake tree is used in vapor rubs and mothballs.

Once called aqua fortis, this acid, HNO3, is used in fertilizers and explosives and is called _ _ _ _ _ _ acid.

This solvent compound is the main ingredient in nail polish remover.

This hormone compound, also called epinephrine, triggers the body's fight-or-flight response.

This carbohydrate compound, stored in potatoes and grains, is a major energy source for plants.

This ion, SO4 2-, appears in compounds like gypsum and Epsom salts.

NaCl seasons food and was so prized in the ancient world that it was widely traded like money.

This sodium borate compound is a classic ingredient in laundry boosters and homemade slime.

This enzyme, traditionally taken from calf stomachs, curdles milk to make cheese.

First produced in 1935, this synthetic polymer revolutionized stockings and climbing rope.

This refined petroleum product compound is used to fuel jet engines and old-fashioned lamps.

Formed from limestone under heat and pressure, this calcium carbonate rock is prized for sculpture.

Made by boiling animal collagen, this protein compound gives gummy candies their chewy texture.

This addictive compound is found naturally in tobacco plant leaves.

This zinc oxide-based lotion is dabbed on to soothe poison ivy rash and itching.

The acid that gives vinegar its sour bite is called _ _ _ _ _ _ acid.

The acid that builds up in muscles during hard exercise, and sours milk, is called _ _ _ _ _ _ acid.

Potassium nitrate, once a key ingredient in gunpowder and cured meats, was historically called _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

This weak acid, used as a mild antiseptic, eyewash ingredient and roach killer, is called _ _ _ _ _ acid.

Ethylene _ _ _ _ _ _ is the compound used as engine antifreeze and in some skincare products.

This ion, PO4 3-, is a key component of DNA, bones, and many fertilizers.

Magnesium silicate is the softest mineral on the Mohs scale and is ground up for baby powder.

The iron-rich, oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells gets half its name from a protein piece called _ _ _ _ _ _.

This protein compound found in wheat gives bread dough its stretchy texture.

This neurotransmitter compound plays a central role in the brain's reward and pleasure system.

This organic compound gives mint leaves and cough drops their cooling sensation.

This bitter plant compound gives red wine and strong tea their dry, puckering taste.

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is the soft mineral compound used in classroom writing sticks.

This ion, often added to drinking water and toothpaste, helps prevent tooth decay.

This synthetic plastic polymer, abbreviated from polyvinyl chloride, is used in pipes and vinyl records.

Calcium sulfate is a soft mineral used to make plaster and drywall, known as _ _ _ _ _ _.

This crystalline form of silicon dioxide is common in jewelry and clock oscillators.

This hydrocarbon gas, C4H10, is commonly used in disposable lighters.

This protein compound makes up roughly 80 percent of the protein in cow's milk.

This orange pigment compound gives carrots their color and converts to vitamin A.

Sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3, is a kitchen staple commonly known as baking _ _ _ _.

This structural protein compound is the most abundant protein in the human body.

Leafy greens and fortified grains are rich in _ _ _ _ _ acid, a B vitamin also called folate.

A buildup of _ _ _ _ acid in the joints is the underlying cause of gout.

This hormone compound, produced in the pancreas, regulates blood sugar levels.

This colorless, odorless, toxic gas, carbon _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, forms from incomplete fuel combustion.

This naturally magnetic iron oxide mineral was used to make early compasses.

This chemical signal compound is released by animals to influence the behavior of others of their species.

This reddish iron oxide mineral, a major iron ore, gets its name from the Greek word for blood.

This sticky petroleum-based compound is used to pave roads.

SiO2 is the main compound found in beach sand and is melted down to make glass.

This lead sulfide mineral was historically used as the detector crystal in early radios.

This ion, Cl-, combines with sodium to form ordinary table seasoning.

This organic compound is the primary flavor component of real vanilla extract.

This hormone compound, released in darkness, helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

A key acid in grapes and wine, it can crystallize into the gritty deposits called wine diamonds: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ acid.

This flammable hydrocarbon gas, C3H8, fuels many outdoor grills.

Sucrose (C12H22O11) is the scientific name for this sweet crystalline carbohydrate.

Magnesium sulfate crystals, dissolved in warm baths to soothe sore muscles, are called _ _ _ _ _ salts.

This compound gives chili peppers their spicy heat.

C6H12O6 is a simple sugar that serves as the body's primary energy source.

This slick synthetic polymer coats non-stick frying pans.

This reddish-brown compound, Fe2O3, forms when iron reacts with oxygen and moisture.

This lightweight foamed polystyrene material is used in disposable cups and packing peanuts.

This waxy hydrocarbon compound is commonly molded into candles.

H2O is the chemical formula for this life-sustaining liquid that covers most of Earth's surface.

This plant-derived compound helps fruit jams and jellies thicken and set.

The mild acid that gives carbonated soda water its fizz is called _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ acid.

Vitamin C is more formally known as _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ acid.

A dilute solution of acetic acid gives this sour condiment its sharp tang.

Pool suppliers commonly sell hydrochloric acid under the older name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ acid.

This ion, CO3 2-, is found in chalk, limestone, and antacid tablets.

FeS2 is a brassy, metallic-looking mineral nicknamed 'fool's gold.'

C2H5OH is the type of alcohol found in beer, wine, and spirits.

This naturally occurring fossil-fuel compound mixture is refined into gasoline and diesel.

This simple sugar compound is naturally abundant in fruit and honey.

O3 is a gas that forms a protective layer high in Earth's stratosphere.

This fibrous protein compound makes up hair, nails, and the outer layer of skin.

This sedimentary rock, mostly calcium carbonate, is a key ingredient in cement.

NH3 is a pungent gas widely used in cleaning products and nitrogen fertilizers.

This stimulant compound is naturally found in coffee beans and tea leaves.

The NH4+ ion, common in fertilizer compounds like nitrate and sulfate salts, is known as the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ion.

This complex carbohydrate compound forms the rigid cell walls of plants.

The acid found naturally in lemons and oranges is called _ _ _ _ _ _ acid.

Spinach and rhubarb leaves contain natural amounts of _ _ _ _ _ _ acid.

A general term for potassium-rich minerals used in fertilizer, this substance was historically made by leaching wood ashes.

This sugar compound found in milk can be difficult for some adults to digest.

This tough compound forms the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans.

Plants absorb this gas, carbon _ _ _ _ _ _ _, during photosynthesis and release oxygen.

This neurotransmitter compound is often nicknamed the body's 'feel-good' chemical.

This ion, NO3-, is a key component of many fertilizers and cured-meat preservatives.

This reddish-brown ore is the primary source of aluminum metal.

This soft, slippery form of pure carbon is used as the 'lead' inside a pencil.

H2O2 is a common antiseptic that fizzes on contact with a scraped knee.

This extremely hard, sparkling form of pure carbon is prized as a gemstone.

The tart acid found naturally in apples is called _ _ _ _ _ acid.

Sodium hydroxide, NaOH, is a caustic substance traditionally used in soap-making.

First synthesized in 1863, this pale-yellow explosive compound's initials stand for trinitrotoluene.