An unknown substance has been shown to have ionic bonds.
Which of the following is most likely a property of this substance?
A. low pH
B. low boiling point
C. high malleability
D. high solubility in water
d?
I think the answer to the question is D; however, I must warn you that many ionic compounds are not soluble in water. Some, like BaSO4, are highly insoluble. I track ionic compounds as having high boiling points but that isn't one of the choices.
To determine which of the given properties is most likely associated with a substance containing ionic bonds, let's investigate the nature of ionic compounds.
Ionic compounds are typically formed when a metal atom donates one or more electrons to a non-metal atom. The resulting positive and negative ions attract each other, forming an ionic bond. This bond is characterized by the electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions.
Now, let's analyze the options:
A. Low pH: This property relates to the concentration of hydrogen ions in a substance. Since we know that ionic compounds consist of positively and negatively charged ions, they are likely to be neutral in nature rather than acidic or basic. Therefore, option A is unlikely.
B. Low boiling point: The boiling point of a substance depends on the strength of the intermolecular forces between its particles. While ionic compounds have strong ionic bonds, they usually have high boiling points due to the strong electrostatic attractions between the ions. Therefore, option B is unlikely.
C. High malleability: Malleability refers to the ability of a substance to be hammered into thin sheets without breaking. This property is more commonly associated with metallic bonding rather than ionic bonding. So, option C is unlikely.
D. High solubility in water: This property is the most likely one for a substance with ionic bonds. Ionic compounds tend to dissolve easily in water due to the polar nature of the water molecule and the attraction between the charged ions and the water molecules. Therefore, option D is the most suitable choice.
In conclusion, option D - high solubility in water - is the most likely property of a substance with ionic bonds.