Which compound would be ionic?
H2O, CO2, SrCl2,SO2, H2S
Which has a metal-nonmetal bond?
To determine whether a compound is ionic or not, we need to understand the properties of ionic compounds. Ionic compounds are formed when a metal combines with a non-metal, resulting in the transfer of electrons from the metal atom to the non-metal atom, forming positively-charged ions (cations) and negatively-charged ions (anions). These ions are then attracted to each other by electrostatic forces, creating a lattice structure.
Let's examine each compound you provided:
1. H2O (water): Water is a molecular compound composed of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. It consists of covalent bonds, where electrons are shared between the atoms rather than transferred. Therefore, H2O is not ionic.
2. CO2 (carbon dioxide): Carbon dioxide is also a molecular compound composed of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. Similar to water, it consists of covalent bonds. Hence, CO2 is not ionic.
3. SrCl2 (strontium chloride): Strontium chloride is an ionic compound. It consists of strontium (Sr), a metal, and chlorine (Cl), a non-metal. The strontium atom donates two electrons to each chlorine atom, resulting in strontium ions (Sr2+) and chloride ions (Cl-). The electrostatic attraction between these ions leads to the formation of an ionic lattice structure.
4. SO2 (sulfur dioxide): Sulfur dioxide is a molecular compound composed of one sulfur atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. It contains covalent bonds and does not involve the transfer of electrons. Therefore, SO2 is not ionic.
5. H2S (hydrogen sulfide): Hydrogen sulfide is a molecular compound composed of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one sulfur atom. Like water and carbon dioxide, it consists of covalent bonds and does not have an ionic character.
Based on this analysis, the compound SrCl2 (strontium chloride) is ionic.