Q. 6.15 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

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

a. lithium and chlorine

b. oxygen and bromine

c. potassium and oxygen

d. sodium and neon

c. cesium and magnesium

f. nitrogen and fluorine

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(part a) Lithium and Chlorine, (part c) Potassium and Oxygen are likely to form an ionic compound.

Step 1 - Introduction (part a)

To Prove : Whether Lithium and Chlorine are likely to form an ionic compound.

Step 2 - Explanation (part a)

Chlorine is an electronegative nonmetal, while lithium is an electropositive metal. The electronegativity of lithium and chiorine differs significantly. As a result, an ionic compound is expected to form between ithium and chiorine.

Step 3 - Introduction (part b)

To Prove : Whether Oxygen and Bromine are likely to form an ionic compound.

Step 4 - Explanation (part b)

Bromine is likewise an electronegative non metal, as is oxygen. The electronegativity of oxygen and bromine differs only little. As a result, no ionic bond is anticipated to develop between oxygen and bromine.

Step 5 - Introduction (part c)

To Prove : Whether Potassium and Oxygen are likely to form an ionic compound.

Step 6 - Explanation (part c)

Oxygen is an electronegative non metal, while potassium is an electropositive metal. The electronegativity of potassium and oxygen differs significantly. As a result, an ionic compound is likely to develop between potassium and oxygen.

Step 7 - Introduction (part d)

To Prove : Whether Sodium and Neon are likely to form an ionic compound.

Step 8 - Explanation (part d)

Neon is an inert gas while sodium is an electropositive metal. The electronegativity of sodium and neon differs only little. As a result, no ionic molecule is anticipated to develop between sodium and neon.

Step 9 - Introduction (part e)

To Prove : Whether Cesium and Magnesium are likely to form an ionic compound.

Step 10 - Explanation (part e)

Magnesium is also an electropositive metal, as is cesium. The electronegativity of cesium and magnesium differs only little. As a result, no ionic molecule is anticipated to develop between cesium and magnesium.

Step 11 - Introduction (part f)

To Prove : Whether Nitrogen and Fluorine are likely to form an ionic compound.

Step 12 - Explanation (part f)

Fluorine and nitrogen are both non-metals with an electronegative charge. The electronegativity of nitrogen and fluorine differs only little. As a result, no ionic molecule is anticipated to develop between nitrogen and fluorine.

Step 13 - Conclusion (part a) and (part c)

Thus, (part a) and (part c) are likely to form an ionic compound.