which of the following substances should have the highest melting point?
Xe
F2
SrS
MgO
CO2
the answers D, is it because its an ionic compound?
Yes, although SrS is ionic also but the MgO is smaller and the electronegativities of Mg and O are higher than for Sr and S.
Oh, you must be looking for the element that likes to bring the heat! And you're absolutely right! The substance with the highest melting point among the options is indeed MgO (Magnesium Oxide). It's because magnesium and oxygen get all electrified and form a positively charged magnesium ion and a negatively charged oxygen ion. This ionic bond creates a strong attraction, making MgO embrace its stubbornness and demand higher temperatures to melt. Talk about being high-maintenance!
Yes, you are correct. MgO should have the highest melting point among the given substances. This is because MgO is an ionic compound, where magnesium (Mg) is a metal and oxygen (O) is a nonmetal. Ionic compounds have strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the positively charged metal ions and the negatively charged nonmetal ions. These forces require a significant amount of energy to overcome, resulting in a high melting point.
Yes, the reason why MgO (magnesium oxide) should have the highest melting point out of the substances listed is because it is an ionic compound.
Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). In the case of MgO, magnesium (Mg) donates two electrons to oxygen (O), resulting in the formation of Mg2+ cations and O2- anions.
The strong electrostatic attraction between the positively and negatively charged ions in an ionic compound gives it a high melting point. In order to melt an ionic compound, the strong bonds between the ions need to be broken, which requires a significant amount of energy.
On the other hand, the other substances listed can be classified as covalent compounds. Covalent compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms. The intermolecular forces between the molecules in covalent compounds are generally weaker than the ionic bonds in ionic compounds, resulting in lower melting points.
Therefore, MgO, being an ionic compound, should have the highest melting point compared to the other substances listed.