Which of the following are ionic or covalent?
1. lauric acid
2. magnesium sulfate
3. phenyl salicylate
4. ammonium chloride
5. sodium chloride
2,4,5 ionic
To determine whether a compound is ionic or covalent, we need to understand the nature of the bonding between the atoms.
Ionic compounds are formed when atoms transfer electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. This results in the formation of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) that are attracted to each other due to their opposite charges. Covalent compounds are formed when two or more atoms share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. In covalent bonds, atoms share electrons to fill their outermost energy levels.
Now let's analyze each compound:
1. Lauric acid: Lauric acid is a fatty acid and consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Since it consists of nonmetals (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen), it is a covalent compound.
2. Magnesium sulfate: Magnesium sulfate is composed of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen atoms. Magnesium is a metal, and sulfur and oxygen are nonmetals. When a metal (magnesium) combines with nonmetals (sulfur and oxygen), it forms an ionic compound. Therefore, magnesium sulfate is an ionic compound.
3. Phenyl salicylate: Phenyl salicylate is an organic compound consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Similar to lauric acid, it contains only nonmetals. Hence, phenyl salicylate is a covalent compound.
4. Ammonium chloride: Ammonium chloride is composed of ammonium ions (NH4+) and chloride ions (Cl-). Ammonium ions are formed by the combination of a nonmetal (nitrogen) with hydrogen. Chloride ions are formed from a nonmetal (chlorine). Since we have both positive and negative ions present, ammonium chloride is an ionic compound.
5. Sodium chloride: Sodium chloride is a well-known compound found in table salt. Sodium is a metal, and chlorine is a nonmetal. When sodium and chlorine combine, they form a compound with the transfer of electrons, resulting in the formation of sodium cations (Na+) and chloride anions (Cl-). As such, sodium chloride is an ionic compound.
In summary:
1. Lauric acid: Covalent
2. Magnesium sulfate: Ionic
3. Phenyl salicylate: Covalent
4. Ammonium chloride: Ionic
5. Sodium chloride: Ionic