Chapter 5: Problem 45
Classify each compound as ionic or molecular. (a) \(\mathrm{CS}_{2}\) (b) CuO (c) KI (d) \(\mathrm{PCl}_{3}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
\text{CS}_2 and \text{PCl}_3 are molecular compounds; CuO and KI are ionic compounds.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Types of Atoms in Each Compound
Determine if the compound is made of a metal bonded to a non-metal (ionic) or is made up of only non-metals (molecular).
02
Classify Compound (a) \text{CS}_2
Carbon (C) and sulfur (S) are both non-metals. When non-metals bond together, they share electrons, forming a molecular compound.
03
Classify Compound (b) CuO
Copper (Cu) is a metal, and oxygen (O) is a non-metal. A metal bonded to a non-metal forms an ionic compound.
04
Classify Compound (c) KI
Potassium (K) is a metal, and iodine (I) is a non-metal. Therefore, KI is an ionic compound because it consists of a metal bonded to a non-metal.
05
Classify Compound (d) \text{PCl}_3
Phosphorus (P) and chlorine (Cl) are both non-metals. Compounds composed solely of non-metals are classified as molecular compounds.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Chemical Bonds
At the core of chemistry lie chemical bonds, the strong forces holding atoms together to form substances with distinct properties. These forces result from the interactions between the electrons of the atoms involved. There are several types of bonds, primarily characterized as ionic and covalent.
Ionic bonding occurs when atoms with significantly different electronegativities transfer electrons from one to another. This donation and acceptance of electrons create ions: charged particles. The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions forms the ionic bond.
Covalent bonding, on the other hand, involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. Typically, these bonds form between atoms with similar electronegativities, which means they have a similar desire for electrons. A single covalent bond forms when two atoms share one pair of electrons. These bonds may also be polar or nonpolar based on the equality of electron sharing.
Ionic bonding occurs when atoms with significantly different electronegativities transfer electrons from one to another. This donation and acceptance of electrons create ions: charged particles. The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions forms the ionic bond.
Covalent bonding, on the other hand, involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. Typically, these bonds form between atoms with similar electronegativities, which means they have a similar desire for electrons. A single covalent bond forms when two atoms share one pair of electrons. These bonds may also be polar or nonpolar based on the equality of electron sharing.
Ionic Compounds
Ionic compounds are chemical substances made up of ions held together by ionic bonds. These ions form when metal atoms give up one or more of their electrons to non-metal atoms, which results in positively charged metal cations and negatively charged non-metal anions.
These compounds usually have high melting and boiling points due to the strong electrostatic forces between the ions. They often form crystalline solids where each ion is surrounded by ions of the opposite charge, which maximizes the attractive forces and minimizes repulsion. Ionic compounds typically dissolve in water, where they separate into their constituent ions, a process known as dissociation.
An example of an ionic compound is sodium chloride (NaCl), where sodium (a metal) transfers an electron to chlorine (a non-metal), resulting in positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged chloride ions (Cl−).
These compounds usually have high melting and boiling points due to the strong electrostatic forces between the ions. They often form crystalline solids where each ion is surrounded by ions of the opposite charge, which maximizes the attractive forces and minimizes repulsion. Ionic compounds typically dissolve in water, where they separate into their constituent ions, a process known as dissociation.
An example of an ionic compound is sodium chloride (NaCl), where sodium (a metal) transfers an electron to chlorine (a non-metal), resulting in positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged chloride ions (Cl−).
Molecular Compounds
Molecular compounds, also known as covalent compounds, are formed when non-metal atoms share electrons with each other through covalent bonds. Unlike ionic compounds, molecular compounds usually consist of molecules: groups of atoms bonded together that act as a single, stable unit.
Molecular compounds often have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds, which is attributed to the weaker forces (van der Waals forces) between the molecules. These compounds may be gases, liquids, or solids at room temperature, based on their molecular structure and intermolecular interactions.
Water (H2O) is a typical example of a molecular compound where each hydrogen atom shares an electron with the oxygen atom, forming two covalent bonds within the water molecule.
Molecular compounds often have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds, which is attributed to the weaker forces (van der Waals forces) between the molecules. These compounds may be gases, liquids, or solids at room temperature, based on their molecular structure and intermolecular interactions.
Water (H2O) is a typical example of a molecular compound where each hydrogen atom shares an electron with the oxygen atom, forming two covalent bonds within the water molecule.
Metal and Non-metal Bonding
The contrasting chemical properties of metals and non-metals give rise to the formation of ionic compounds via metal and non-metal bonding. Metals, which are typically located on the left side of the periodic table, tend to lose electrons readily and form cations. Non-metals, found on the right side, have a higher electronegativity and tend to gain electrons, becoming anions.
This difference in electron affinity results in the transfer of electrons from metals to non-metals in chemical reactions. The resultant attraction between the positively charged metal cations and the negatively charged non-metal anions is the basis of ionic bonding.
For instance, in sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium (metal) donates an electron to chlorine (non-metal) to form an ionic bond. This kind of electron transfer and the ensuing ionic bond formation are characteristic features of compounds formed between metals and non-metals.
This difference in electron affinity results in the transfer of electrons from metals to non-metals in chemical reactions. The resultant attraction between the positively charged metal cations and the negatively charged non-metal anions is the basis of ionic bonding.
For instance, in sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium (metal) donates an electron to chlorine (non-metal) to form an ionic bond. This kind of electron transfer and the ensuing ionic bond formation are characteristic features of compounds formed between metals and non-metals.
