Q.48E - Chemistry (OpenStax)

Question

For each of the following compounds, state whether it is ionic or covalent, and if it is ionic, write the symbols for the ions involved:

1. \(KCl{O_4}\)
2. \(Mg{\left( {{C_2}{H_3}{O_2}} \right)_2}\)
3. \({H_2}S\)
4. \(A{g_2}S\)
5. \({N_2}C{l_4}\)
6. \(Co{\left( {N{O_3}} \right)_2}\)

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

1. Ionic Compound  \(\left( {{K^ + },ClO_4^ - } \right)\)
2. Ionic Compound  \(\left( {M{g^{2 + }},{C_2}{H_3}O_2^ - } \right)\)
3. Covalent Compound  
4. Ionic Compound  \(\left( {A{g^ + },{S^{2 - }}} \right)\)
5. Covalent Compound
6. Ionic Compound  \(\left( {C{o^{2 + }},NO_3^ - } \right)\)

Step 1. Finding the way to identify the compounds as Covalent or Ionic

As we know that, Metals with Non-metals forms ionic compound, and Non-metals with Non-metals forms covalent compound.

In general, Polyatomic ions are non-metal.

Step 2. Analyzing given compounds one by one

1. \(KCl{O_4}\)\( \to \)One is metal and other is polyatomic ion. So, it is ionic. Ions are \(\left( {{K^ + },ClO_4^ - } \right)\)
2. \(Mg{\left( {{C_2}{H_3}{O_2}} \right)_2}\)\( \to \) One is metal and other is polyatomic ion. So, it is ionic. Ions are \(\left( {M{g^{2 + }},{C_2}{H_3}O_2^ - } \right)\)
3. \({H_2}S\)\( \to \) Both are non-metals. So, it is covalent. Since it is covalent, no ion exist.
4. \(A{g_2}S\)\( \to \) One is metal and other is non-metal. So, it is ionic. Ions are \(\left( {A{g^ + },{S^{2 - }}} \right)\)
5. \({N_2}C{l_4}\)\( \to \) Both are non-metals. So, it is covalent. Since it is covalent, no ion exist.
6. \(Co{\left( {N{O_3}} \right)_2}\)\( \to \) One is metal and other is polyatomic ion. So, it is ionic. Ions are \(\left( {C{o^{2 + }},NO_3^ - } \right)\)