N2 • CCl4 • SiO2
• AlCl3 • CaCl2 • LiBr
Which compounds are ionic and which are covalent?
Why are you asking this question again?
YOU SHOULD ANSWER THE QUESTION!
ionic: CaCI2, LiBr
Covalaent: N2, CCl4, SiO2 and AlCl3.
To determine whether a compound is ionic or covalent, we need to understand the difference between the two types of compounds.
Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another. These compounds consist of positive and negative ions held together by electrostatic forces. In ionic compounds, there is a metal cation (positively charged ion) and a non-metal anion (negatively charged ion).
Covalent compounds, on the other hand, are formed when atoms share electrons with one another. These compounds consist of molecules held together by strong covalent bonds. In covalent compounds, the bonded elements are usually non-metals.
Now, let's analyze the given compounds:
N2 - This compound consists of two nitrogen atoms bonded together. Since nitrogen is a non-metal, N2 is a covalent compound.
CCl4 - This compound, carbon tetrachloride, consists of one carbon atom bonded to four chlorine atoms. Since both carbon and chlorine are non-metals, CCl4 is a covalent compound.
SiO2 - This compound, silicon dioxide or silica, consists of one silicon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. Again, since both silicon and oxygen are non-metals, SiO2 is a covalent compound.
AlCl3 - This compound, aluminum chloride, consists of one aluminum atom bonded to three chlorine atoms. Aluminum is a metal, while chlorine is a non-metal. Thus, AlCl3 is an ionic compound.
CaCl2 - This compound, calcium chloride, consists of one calcium atom bonded to two chlorine atoms. Both calcium and chlorine are non-metals. However, calcium is a metal, so in this case, CaCl2 is also an ionic compound.
LiBr - This compound, lithium bromide, consists of one lithium atom bonded to one bromine atom. Lithium is a metal, while bromine is a non-metal. Therefore, LiBr is an ionic compound.
In summary, N2, CCl4, and SiO2 are covalent compounds, while AlCl3, CaCl2, and LiBr are ionic compounds.
Look up the electronegativities of each element and subtract. If the difference is about 1.8 or so that is approximately the 50-50 point between covalent and ionic with ionic being higher than 1.8. Compounds usually are labeled as covalent, polar covalent, and ionic.
Since polar covalent is not part of the question, anything <1.8 will e covalent and anything over 1.8 will be ionic. For example, Li is about 1 and Br is about 3. the difference is about 2 which means ionic. C is about 2.5 and Cl is about 3.0 for a difference of 0.5 which makes it covalent. You take it from here.