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Chapter 2: Problem 51

Criticize each of the following statements. (a) In an ionic compound, the number of cations is always the same as the number of anions. (b) The molecular formula for strontium bromide is \(\mathrm{SrBr}_{2}\). (c) The mass number is always equal to the atomic number. (d) For any ion, the number of electrons is always more than the number of protons.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Question: Analyze and criticize the following statement: "In an ionic compound, the number of cations is always the same as the number of anions." Answer: This statement is generally true because ionic compounds are formed when atoms of opposite charge, cations (positively charged) and anions (negatively charged), are attracted to each other and create a compound. In order to maintain overall electrical neutrality, the number of cations must balance the number of anions.

Step by step solution

01

(Statement a)

In an ionic compound, the number of cations is always the same as the number of anions. This statement is generally true because ionic compounds are formed when atoms of opposite charge, cations (positively charged) and anions (negatively charged), are attracted to each other and create a compound. In order to maintain overall electrical neutrality, the number of cations must balance the number of anions. An example is sodium chloride (NaCl), where one sodium cation (Na+) is paired with one chloride anion (Cl-).
02

(Statement b)

The molecular formula for strontium bromide is \(\mathrm{SrBr}_{2}\). This statement is true. In this ionic compound, the strontium ion (Sr2+) has a charge of +2, while the bromide ion (Br-) has a charge of -1. In order to maintain electrical neutrality, there needs to be two bromide ions for every strontium ion, which gives the molecular formula \(\mathrm{SrBr}_{2}\).
03

(Statement c)

The mass number is always equal to the atomic number. This statement is false. The mass number of an atom is the total number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus, whereas the atomic number represents the number of protons in the nucleus. Since neutrons also contribute to the mass number, it is not always equal to the atomic number. In fact, the mass number is generally greater than the atomic number due to the presence of neutrons in the nucleus.
04

(Statement d)

For any ion, the number of electrons is always more than the number of protons. This statement is false. Ions are atoms that have either lost or gained electrons, resulting in a net charge. In cations, the number of electrons is less than the number of protons, which creates a positive charge. In anions, the number of electrons is more than the number of protons, which creates a negative charge. Therefore, the number of electrons is not always more than the number of protons in all ions.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Write formulas for the following ionic compounds. (a) cobalt(II) acetate (b) barium oxide (c) aluminum sulfide (d) potassium permanganate (e) sodium hydrogen carbonate

Write the formulas of the following ionic compounds. (a) iron(III) carbonate (b) sodium azide \(\left(\mathrm{N}_{3}-\right)\) (c) calcium sulfate (d) copper(I) sulfide (e) lead(IV) oxide

Classify the following compounds as electrolytes or non-electrolytes. (a) potassium chloride, KCl. (b) hydrogen peroxide, \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2}\). (c) methane, \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}\) (d) barium nitrate, \(\mathrm{Ba}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{2}\).

Write the names of the following molecules. (a) \(\mathrm{ICl}_{3}\) (b) \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{5}\) (c) \(\mathrm{PH}_{3}\) (d) \(\mathrm{CBr}_{4}\) (e) \(\mathrm{SO}_{3}\)

Write the names of the following ionic compounds. (a) \(\mathrm{HCl}(a q)\) (b) \(\mathrm{HClO}_{3}(a q)\) (c) \(\mathrm{Fe}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{3}\right)_{3}\) (d) \(\mathrm{Ba}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{2}\right)_{2}\) (e) \(\mathrm{NaClO}\)
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