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Chapter 11: Problem 51

A solid is hard, brittle, and electrically nonconducting. Its melt (the liquid form of the substance) and an aqueous solution containing the substance conduct electricity. Classify the solid.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The solid is an ionic compound.

Step by step solution

01

Analyze properties

The first thing to do is to carefully examine each of the properties given. The solid is described as hard, which is a typical property of ionic compounds due to their strong ionic bonds. The solid is also described as brittle, which is again a common characteristic of ionic compounds. Upon breaking, planes of ions can move past each other, which causes cleavage, and this results in brittleness.
02

Assess electrical properties

Next, we look at the solid's electrical properties. It is stated that the solid does not conduct electricity, which is true for ionic compounds in solid state because their ions are not free to move. However, when the solid is melted or dissolved in water (creating an aqueous solution), it conducts electricity. This is a key property of ionic compounds. In a molten state or in solution, the ions of ionic compounds are free to move, allowing them to conduct electricity.
03

Make a conclusion

Based on the analysis of these properties, we can conclude the substance is an ionic compound. Ionic compounds are hard and brittle, do not conduct electricity in solid state (since their ions are not free to move), but do conduct electricity when molten or in an aqueous solution (where ions are free to move).

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Sketch the cooling curves of water from about \(110^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) to about \(-10^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). How would you also show the formation of supercooled liquid below \(0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) which then freezes to ice? The pressure is at 1 atm throughout the process. The curves need not be drawn quantitatively.

The liquid-vapor boundary line in the phase diagram of any substance always stops abruptly at a certain point. Why?

Calculate the number of spheres that would be found within a simple cubic, a body-centered cubic, and a face-centered cubic cell. Assume that the spheres are the same.

What is critical temperature? What is the significance of critical temperature in liquefaction of gases?

Calculate the \(\Delta H^{\circ}\) for the following processes at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) (a) \(\mathrm{Br}_{2}(l) \longrightarrow \mathrm{Br}_{2}(g)\) and (b) \(\mathrm{Br}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow\) \(2 \mathrm{Br}(g) .\) Comment on the relative magnitudes of these \(\Delta H^{\circ}\) values in terms of the forces involved in each case. \\{Hint: See Table \(9.4,\) and given that \(\left.\Delta H_{\mathrm{f}}^{\circ}\left[\mathrm{Br}_{2}(g)\right]=30.7 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol} .\right\\}\)
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