Question

Give the formula of a solid containing oxygen that is (a) a polar molecule (b) ionic (c) network covalent (d) a nonpolar molecule

Short answer

Question: Provide examples of solids containing oxygen that represent the following types of solids: (a) polar molecule, (b) ionic, (c) network covalent, and (d) nonpolar molecule. Answer: (a) A polar solid containing oxygen is water (H2O), where the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen creates a net dipole moment. (b) An ionic solid containing oxygen is sodium oxide (Na2O), which forms a crystal lattice structure of positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged oxide ions (O2-). (c) A network covalent solid containing oxygen is silicon dioxide (SiO2), in which silicon and oxygen atoms form a continuous network of covalent bonds. (d) A nonpolar solid containing oxygen is dioxygen (O2), where two oxygen atoms share an even distribution of electrons with no net dipole moment.

Step-by-step solution

(a) Polar Solid: Water (H2O)

In water, the oxygen atom is bonded to two hydrogen atoms, and there is a significant difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen. This causes uneven distribution of electrons and a net dipole moment, making water a polar molecule.

(b) Ionic Solid: Sodium Oxide (Na2O)

Sodium oxide is formed when the metal sodium (Na) reacts with the non-metal oxygen (O). There is a large electronegativity difference between sodium and oxygen, which leads to the formation of positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged oxide ions (O2-). This ionic solid is held together by electrostatic forces between the ions, which are arranged in a crystal lattice structure.

(c) Network Covalent Solid: Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Silicon dioxide, also known as quartz or silica, is a network covalent solid in which silicon (Si) is bonded to oxygen (O) in a continuous network of covalent bonds. Each silicon atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms, and each oxygen atom is bonded to two silicon atoms, forming a tetrahedral arrangement that extends throughout the solid.

(d) Nonpolar Solid: Dioxygen (O2)

Dioxygen, or molecular oxygen, is a diatomic molecule consisting of two oxygen atoms bonded together. Since the two oxygen atoms have the same electronegativity, there is even distribution of electrons and no net dipole moment. Thus, O2 is a nonpolar molecule.