Q. 6.12 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Which of the following pairs of elements are likely lo form an ionic compound?

a. helium and oxygen

b. magnesium and chlorine

c. chlorine and bromine

d. potassium and sulfur

e. sodium and potassium

f. nitrogen and iodine

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

 The result is an ionic compound is likely to develop between potassium and sulphur 

Step 1 : Given information (part a)

The following pairs of elements are likely lo form an ionic compound

a. helium and oxygen

Step 2 : explanation (part a)

• Helium is an inert gas, while oxygen is a non-metal that is electronegative.
• The electronegativity of hellum and oxygen differs only little. 
•  Helium and oxygen are unlikely to combine to create an ionic molecule.

Step 3 : Given information (part b)

The following pairs of elements are likely lo form an ionic compound

b. magnesium and chlorine

Step 4 : Explanation (part b)

• Magnesium is an electropositive metal, whereas chlorine is an electronegative nonmetal. 
• Magnesium and chlorine have a significant disparity in electronegativity.
• An ionic compound is likely to develop between magnesium and chlorine in the Result

Step 5 : Given information (part c)

The following pairs of elements are likely lo form an ionic compound

c. chlorine and bromine

Step 6 : Explanation (part c)

• Chlorine and bromine are both non-metals with an electronegative charge.
• The electronegativity difference between chlorine and bromine is smail.
•  Finally, no ionic molecule is anticipated to develop between chlorine and bromine.

Step 7 : Given Information (part d)

The following pairs of elements are likely lo form an ionic compound

d. potassium and sulfur

Step 8 : Explnation (part d)

• Sulfur is an electronegative nonmetal, while potassium is an electropositive metal. The electronegativity of potassium and sulphur differs significantly.
•  An ionic compound is likely to develop between potassium and sulphur.

Step 9 : Given inormation (part e)

The following pairs of elements are likely lo form an ionic compound

e. sodium and potassium

Step 10 : Explanation (part e)

• Sodium and potassium are both electropositive metals.
• The electronegativity of sodium and potassium differs only little. 
• No ionic molecule is anticipated to develop between sodium and potassium.

Step 11 : Given information (part f)

The following pairs of elements are likely lo form an ionic compound

F. nitrogen and iodine

Step 12 : Explanation ( part f)

• Both nitrogen and iodine are nonmetals with an electronegative charge. 
• The electronegativity of nitrogen and iodine differs only little. 
• No ionic molecule is anticipated to develop between nitrogen and lodine.