Question

List some properties of a substance that would lead you to believe it consists of ions. How do these properties differ from those of nonionic compounds?

Short answer

Ionic compounds exhibit properties such as high melting and boiling points, brittleness, solubility in polar solvents, and conductivity when dissolved or molten due to the strong ionic bonds formed by charged ions. These properties differ from nonionic compounds, which generally have lower melting and boiling points, are more flexible, less soluble in polar solvents, and do not conduct electricity.

Step-by-step solution

(1. Identifying properties of ionic compounds)

An ionic compound is formed when a metal loses electrons and a nonmetal gains electrons, resulting in the formation of charged particles called ions. These oppositely charged ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces called ionic bonds. Here are some properties that are usually associated with ionic compounds: - High melting and boiling points, due to the strong ionic bonds. - Brittleness - When pressure is applied, the ions shift, and ions with like charges repel each other, causing the structure to break. - Solubility in polar solvents like water, because they can interact with the charged ions and separate them. - Conductivity when dissolved or molten, because the ions can move freely to conduct electricity.

(2. Comparing properties of ionic and nonionic compounds)

Nonionic compounds, also known as covalent or molecular compounds, consist of atoms sharing electrons to form covalent bonds. Comparing the properties of nonionic compounds to ionic compounds, we can see the following differences: - Lower melting and boiling points, as nonionic compounds have weaker intermolecular forces compared to the strong ionic bonds in ionic compounds. - Nonionic compounds are generally more flexible, unlike the brittleness of ionic compounds. - Nonionic compounds are often less soluble in polar solvents like water, as they don't readily form charged particles to interact with the solvent. - Nonionic compounds typically do not conduct electricity, as they do not form freely moving ions when dissolved or in their molten state. In conclusion, the properties that suggest a substance might consist of ions are high melting and boiling points, brittleness, solubility in polar solvents, and conductivity when dissolved or molten. These properties differ from those of nonionic compounds, which have lower melting and boiling points, are more flexible, have lower solubility in polar solvents, and do not conduct electricity.