Question

How do ionic solids differ in structure from molecular solids? What are the fundamental particles in each? Give two examples of each type of solid and indicate the individual particles that make up the solids in each of your examples.

Short answer

Ionic solids consist of cations and anions held together by strong ionic bonds, while molecular solids comprise discrete molecules held together by weaker intermolecular forces. The fundamental particles in ionic solids are cations and anions, while in molecular solids, they are individual molecules. Examples of ionic solids include sodium chloride (composed of Na+ and Cl- ions) and calcium carbonate (composed of Ca2+ and CO3 2- ions). Molecular solid examples are ice (composed of H2O molecules) and sucrose (composed of C12H22O11 molecules).

Step-by-step solution

Define ionic and molecular solids

Ionic solids are composed of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, which are held together by strong electrostatic forces (ionic bonds). Molecular solids, on the other hand, consist of discrete molecules held together by weak intermolecular forces (such as van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, or dipole-dipole interactions).

Identify the fundamental particles in each solid type

The fundamental particles in ionic solids are the positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. In molecular solids, the fundamental particles are the individual molecules.

Provide examples of ionic solids

Two examples of ionic solids are: 1. Sodium chloride (NaCl) - This ionic solid is composed of the positively charged sodium cations (Na+) and the negatively charged chloride anions (Cl-). 2. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) - This ionic solid is composed of the positively charged calcium cations (Ca2+) and the negatively charged carbonate anions (CO3 2-).

Provide examples of molecular solids

Two examples of molecular solids are: 1. Ice (H2O) - This molecular solid is composed of water molecules, each consisting of two hydrogen atoms bonded to a single oxygen atom. 2. Sucrose (C12H22O11) - This molecular solid is composed of sucrose molecules, each containing 12 carbon atoms, 22 hydrogen atoms, and 11 oxygen atoms.

Summarize the differences and examples

Overall, ionic solids differ from molecular solids in their structure: they consist of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions held together by strong ionic bonds, while molecular solids consist of discrete molecules held together by weaker intermolecular forces. The fundamental particles in ionic solids are cations and anions, whereas those in molecular solids are individual molecules. Some examples of ionic solids include sodium chloride (Na+ and Cl-) and calcium carbonate (Ca2+ and CO3 2-), while examples of molecular solids include ice (H2O molecules) and sucrose (C12H22O11 molecules).