Question

Distinguish between the following terms. a. molecule versus ion b. covalent bonding versus ionic bonding c. molecule versus compound d. anion versus cation

Short answer

a. A molecule is a neutral particle consisting of two or more atoms bonded together, while an ion is a charged particle formed by gain or loss of electrons. b. Covalent bonding involves sharing electrons between non-metal atoms, whereas ionic bonding involves the transfer of electrons from a metal to a non-metal atom, forming charged ions. c. A molecule consists of two or more atoms chemically bonded together, while a compound consists of two or more different elements chemically combined in fixed proportions. All compounds are molecules, but not all molecules are compounds. d. An anion is a negatively charged ion formed by electron gain, while a cation is a positively charged ion formed by electron loss.

Step-by-step solution

a. Molecule vs Ion

A molecule is a neutral particle formed by the combination of two or more atoms chemically bonded together. An ion is a charged particle that is formed when an atom (or a group of atoms) gains or loses electrons to attain a stable electron configuration. Ions can be positively charged (called cations) or negatively charged (called anions).

b. Covalent Bonding vs Ionic Bonding

Covalent bonding involves the sharing of electrons between two non-metal atoms, whereas ionic bonding involves the transfer of electrons from a metal atom to a non-metal atom. This results in the formation of charged particles called ions. In covalent bonding, the bond is held together by the electrostatic attraction between the shared electrons and the positively charged nuclei of the atoms involved. In ionic bonding, the bond is held together by the electrostatic attraction between the positively and negatively charged ions.

c. Molecule vs Compound

A molecule is a neutral particle formed by the combination of two or more atoms chemically bonded together. A compound, on the other hand, is a substance made up of two or more different elements chemically combined in fixed proportions. All compounds are molecules, but not all molecules are compounds. For example, two atoms of the same element bonded together (e.g. O2) form a molecule but not a compound. When two or more different elements bond together (e.g. H2O), they form both a molecule and a compound.

d. Anion vs Cation

An anion is a negatively charged ion that is formed when an atom (or a group of atoms) gains one or more electrons. A cation is a positively charged ion formed when an atom (or a group of atoms) loses one or more electrons. In an ionic compound, anions and cations are attracted to one another by electrostatic forces, forming the ionic bond. For example, in sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium (Na) becomes a cation by losing one electron, and chlorine (Cl) becomes an anion by gaining that electron. The electrostatic attraction between the Na+ (cation) and Cl- (anion) forms the ionic bond in the compound.