Chapter 5: Problem 46
Classify each compound as ionic or molecular. (a) \(\mathrm{PtO}_{2}\) (b) \(\mathrm{CF}_{2} \mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) (c) \(\mathrm{CO}\) (d) \(\mathrm{SO}_{3}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
PtO2 is an ionic compound. CF2Cl2, CO, and SO3 are molecular compounds.
Step by step solution
01
- Understanding Ionic and Molecular Compounds
Ionic compounds are formed from the electrostatic attraction between cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions). Typically, they consist of a metal and a nonmetal. Molecular (covalent) compounds are formed when two or more nonmetals share electrons.
02
- Determining the Types of Elements in PtO2
Pt (platinum) is a metal, and O (oxygen) is a nonmetal. The metal-nonmetal combination suggests that PtO2 is likely to be an ionic compound.
03
- Determining the Types of Elements in CF2Cl2
C (carbon), F (fluorine), and Cl (chlorine) are all nonmetals. Since CF2Cl2 consists entirely of nonmetals, it is a molecular compound.
04
- Determining the Types of Elements in CO
Both C (carbon) and O (oxygen) are nonmetals. The combination of nonmetals in CO indicates that it is a molecular compound.
05
- Determining the Types of Elements in SO3
S (sulfur) and O (oxygen) are both nonmetals. With only nonmetals present in SO3, it is classified as a molecular compound.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Chemical Bonding
Chemical bonding is the process that enables the formation of chemical compounds through the attraction between two or more atoms. This bonding allows atoms to gain stability by achieving electron configurations that are more energetically favorable.
There are mainly two types of chemical bonds: ionic and covalent. Ionic bonds occur when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the creation of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions), which attract each other to form an ionic compound. This type of bond is typically formed between metals and nonmetals, as metals tend to lose electrons while nonmetals are prone to gaining them.
Covalent bonds, on the other hand, involve the sharing of electrons between atoms to achieve a full outer electron shell. This bond is common between nonmetal elements. When these bonds occur, they result in the creation of molecules, hence the name molecular compounds. Within covalent bonding, there can be single, double, or triple bonds, depending on how many pairs of electrons are shared between the atoms.
There are mainly two types of chemical bonds: ionic and covalent. Ionic bonds occur when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the creation of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions), which attract each other to form an ionic compound. This type of bond is typically formed between metals and nonmetals, as metals tend to lose electrons while nonmetals are prone to gaining them.
Covalent bonds, on the other hand, involve the sharing of electrons between atoms to achieve a full outer electron shell. This bond is common between nonmetal elements. When these bonds occur, they result in the creation of molecules, hence the name molecular compounds. Within covalent bonding, there can be single, double, or triple bonds, depending on how many pairs of electrons are shared between the atoms.
Compound Classification
Classifying compounds into ionic and molecular categories helps understand their properties and predict their behavior in various chemical reactions. As mentioned in the exercise, ionic compounds consist of metals and nonmetals, and they often have high melting and boiling points due to the strong electrostatic forces holding the ions together. They also conduct electricity when dissolved in water, which makes them electrolytes.
In contrast, molecular compounds, formed between nonmetals, generally have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds. This is because the forces holding the molecules together (intermolecular forces) are not as strong as the ionic bonds. Molecular compounds are usually poor conductors of electricity in any state, and they are not considered electrolytes.
To classify a compound, as shown in the exercise solutions, it's crucial to first determine the types of atoms it consists of. The presence of a metal suggests an ionic compound, while a combination of nonmetals points toward a molecular compound. Understanding the periodic table can help predict the type of bonding that will occur between different elements.
In contrast, molecular compounds, formed between nonmetals, generally have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds. This is because the forces holding the molecules together (intermolecular forces) are not as strong as the ionic bonds. Molecular compounds are usually poor conductors of electricity in any state, and they are not considered electrolytes.
To classify a compound, as shown in the exercise solutions, it's crucial to first determine the types of atoms it consists of. The presence of a metal suggests an ionic compound, while a combination of nonmetals points toward a molecular compound. Understanding the periodic table can help predict the type of bonding that will occur between different elements.
Metal and Nonmetal Chemistry
Metals and nonmetals exhibit different chemical properties due to their distinct electron configurations. Metals, for instance, are malleable, lustrous, and conductive. They readily lose electrons to form cations. Nonmetals are often brittle in solid form, lack luster, and are insulators. They tend to gain electrons to form anions or share electrons in covalent bonds.
The chemistry of metals and nonmetals is the basis for understanding ionic and molecular compounds. When a metal reacts with a nonmetal, an ionic compound typically forms due to the metal ion's tendency to donate electrons and the nonmetal ion's inclination to accept them. This electron transfer leads to the electrostatic attraction that holds the ionic compound together.
In exercises like the one provided, recognizing whether an element is a metal or a nonmetal is crucial. Platinum (Pt), for example, is a metal which would typically form ionic compounds when combined with nonmetals like oxygen. However, it's worth noting that some metals can share electrons with nonmetals, leading to compounds that exhibit both ionic and covalent characteristics, often referred to as polar covalent compounds.
The chemistry of metals and nonmetals is the basis for understanding ionic and molecular compounds. When a metal reacts with a nonmetal, an ionic compound typically forms due to the metal ion's tendency to donate electrons and the nonmetal ion's inclination to accept them. This electron transfer leads to the electrostatic attraction that holds the ionic compound together.
In exercises like the one provided, recognizing whether an element is a metal or a nonmetal is crucial. Platinum (Pt), for example, is a metal which would typically form ionic compounds when combined with nonmetals like oxygen. However, it's worth noting that some metals can share electrons with nonmetals, leading to compounds that exhibit both ionic and covalent characteristics, often referred to as polar covalent compounds.