Question

Which of the following are diatomic molecules? (a) \(\mathrm{O}_{3}\) (b) \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) (c) \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) (d) HI (e) \(\mathrm{S}_{8}\) (f) \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) (g) \(\mathrm{CO}\) (h) \(\mathrm{NH}_{3}\)

Short answer

(d) HI, (f) \(\text{Cl}_2\), (g) CO

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Diatomic Molecules

Diatomic molecules consist of two atoms, which can either be of the same element or of different elements. These molecules are often in the form \(X_2\) or \(XY\).

Identify Each Molecule

Look at each given molecule to see if it consists of exactly two atoms:(a) \(\text{O}_3\) - Ozone, which contains three oxygen atoms.(b) \(\text{H}_2\text{O}\) - Water, which contains three atoms (two hydrogen and one oxygen).(c) \(\text{CO}_2\) - Carbon dioxide, which contains three atoms (one carbon and two oxygen).(d) HI - Hydrogen iodide, which consists of two atoms (one hydrogen and one iodine).(e) \(\text{S}_8\) - Contains eight sulfur atoms.(f) \(\text{Cl}_2\) - Chlorine, which consists of two chlorine atoms.(g) CO - Carbon monoxide, which consists of two atoms (one carbon and one oxygen).(h) \(\text{NH}_3\) - Ammonia, which contains four atoms (one nitrogen and three hydrogen).

List the Diatomic Molecules

From the identification step, the diatomic molecules are:(d) HI - Hydrogen iodide(f) \(\text{Cl}_2\) - Chlorine(g) CO - Carbon monoxide

Key concepts

chemical compounds

Chemical compounds are substances formed when two or more elements chemically bond together. These elements can either share electrons in covalent bonds or transfer electrons in ionic bonds.
They form a wide variety of substances with unique properties.
For example, water \(\text{H}_2\text{O}\), consisting of hydrogen and oxygen, shows different characteristics than its individual elements.

Chemical compounds can be classified based on their composition and the types of bonds they form:

• Covalent compounds: Formed when elements share electrons. For example, chlorine \(\text{Cl}_2\) and carbon monoxide \(\text{CO}\).
• Ionic compounds: Formed when elements transfer electrons to achieve stability. Table salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) is an example.

Understanding the concept of chemical compounds is fundamental in chemistry education, as it helps in learning how different substances interact, behave, and change during chemical reactions.

molecular structure

Molecular structure refers to the arrangement of atoms within a molecule and how they are bonded together.
The connectivity and shape of molecules determine their physical and chemical properties.

Diatomic molecules, like hydrogen iodide \(\text{HI}\), consist of two atoms bonded together, and can either be homonuclear (same element) or heteronuclear (different elements).
Examples include:

• Homonuclear diatomic molecules: \(\text{H}_2, \text{O}_2, \text{N}_2\) — consisting of identical atoms.
• Heteronuclear diatomic molecules: \(\text{CO}, \text{HI}, \text{NO}\) — consisting of different atoms.

The molecular structure helps us understand why substances behave in specific ways. For instance, although hydrogen iodide \(\text{HI}\) and chlorine \(\text{Cl}_2\) are both diatomic, their properties differ because of the different atomic constituents.
The bond length, angle, and energy all play significant roles in defining a molecule's characteristics.
Familiarity with molecular structure is essential for predicting the reactivity and functionality of substances in chemistry.

chemistry education

Chemistry education focuses on equipping students with knowledge about the properties, composition, and transformations of matter. One of the primary goals is to develop a deep understanding of fundamental concepts such as molecular structures and chemical compounds.

Teaching strategies might include:

• Interactive experiments: Allowing students to see real-life chemical reactions, enhancing comprehension and retention.
• Visual aids: Using diagrams and models to represent molecular structures, which helps in grasping abstract concepts.
• Problem-solving exercises: Strengthening critical thinking by applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.

Understanding diatomic molecules is an integral part of this education. Identifying diatomic molecules, such as hydrogen iodide \(\text{HI}\), chlorine \(\text{Cl}_2}\), and carbon monoxide \(\text{CO}\), helps in understanding the basics of molecular formation and reactivity.
By breaking complex topics into simpler parts and using various teaching methodologies, chemistry education aims to create an engaging learning environment that fosters curiosity and thorough understanding of chemical principles.