Which ONE of the following substances is LEAST ionic (hint calculate each bond)?
a. NaCl
b. KCl
c. CuCl2
d. SbCl4
To determine the ionic character of a substance, we can compare the electronegativity difference between the atoms involved in each bond. The greater the difference in electronegativity, the more ionic the bond.
a. NaCl: The electronegativity of sodium (Na) is approximately 0.93, and the electronegativity of chlorine (Cl) is approximately 3.16. The electronegativity difference is 2.23, indicating that the bond is predominantly ionic.
b. KCl: The electronegativity of potassium (K) is approximately 0.82, and the electronegativity of chlorine (Cl) is approximately 3.16. The electronegativity difference is 2.34, indicating that the bond is predominantly ionic.
c. CuCl2: The electronegativity of copper (Cu) is approximately 1.90, and the electronegativity of chlorine (Cl) is approximately 3.16. The electronegativity difference is 1.26, indicating that the bond is less ionic compared to the previous two examples.
d. SbCl4: The electronegativity of antimony (Sb) is approximately 2.05, and the electronegativity of chlorine (Cl) is approximately 3.16. The electronegativity difference is 1.11, indicating that the bond is the least ionic among the given options.
Therefore, the correct answer is d. SbCl4.
To determine which substance is the least ionic, we need to calculate the bond character for each compound by determining the difference in electronegativity between the two elements in the compound.
a. NaCl: Sodium (Na) has an electronegativity of 0.93, and chlorine (Cl) has an electronegativity of 3.16. The electronegativity difference is 3.16 - 0.93 = 2.23.
b. KCl: Potassium (K) has an electronegativity of 0.82. The electronegativity difference between potassium and chlorine (Cl) is 3.16 - 0.82 = 2.34.
c. CuCl2: Copper (Cu) has an electronegativity of 1.90. The electronegativity difference between copper and chlorine (Cl) is 3.16 - 1.90 = 1.26.
d. SbCl4: Antimony (Sb) has an electronegativity of 2.05. The electronegativity difference between antimony and chlorine (Cl) is 3.16 - 2.05 = 1.11.
Comparing the electronegativity differences, we find that the compound with the lowest difference is d. SbCl4, making it the least ionic of the given options.
To determine which substance is least ionic among the given options, we need to calculate the bond character for each of them. The bond character can be estimated by calculating the difference in electronegativity between the elements in the compound.
The electronegativity values can be found on the Pauling scale, and a larger difference indicates a more ionic bond, while a smaller difference suggests a more covalent bond.
Let's calculate the bond character for each option:
a. NaCl:
The electronegativity of sodium (Na) is 0.93, and the electronegativity of chlorine (Cl) is 3.16. The difference is 3.16 - 0.93 = 2.23.
b. KCl:
The electronegativity of potassium (K) is 0.82. The difference between K and Cl is 3.16 - 0.82 = 2.34.
c. CuCl2:
The electronegativity of copper (Cu) is 1.90. The difference between Cu and Cl is 3.16 - 1.90 = 1.26.
d. SbCl4:
The electronegativity of antimony (Sb) is 2.05. The difference between Sb and Cl is 3.16 - 2.05 = 1.11.
Now, we compare the differences:
a. 2.23
b. 2.34
c. 1.26
d. 1.11
The substance with the smallest difference in electronegativity, and therefore the least ionic character, is d. SbCl4.
Therefore, SbCl4 is the least ionic substance among the given options.