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Chapter 7: Problem 61

Predict whether each of the following oxides is ionic or molecular: \(\mathrm{SnO}_{2}, \mathrm{Al}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}, \mathrm{CO}_{2}, \mathrm{Li}_{2} \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}, \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} .\) Explain the reasons for your choices.

Short Answer

Expert verified
SnO2, Al2O3, Li2O, and Fe2O3 are ionic compounds because they consist of a metal and a non-metal, where the metal loses electrons to form cations and the non-metal gains electrons to form anions. CO2 and H2O are molecular compounds as they consist of only non-metal elements that share electrons to form covalent bonds.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Ionic compounds consist of ions held together by ionic bonds, which are formed due to the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. Generally, these compounds involve the reaction between a metal and a non-metal, in which the metal loses its valence electrons to become positively charged cations while the non-metal gains those electrons to become negatively charged anions. Molecular compounds, on the other hand, comprise molecules held together by covalent bonds formed due to the sharing of electrons between atoms. These compounds usually involve the combination of two or more non-metal elements. With this knowledge in mind, we can now analyze each given oxide.
02

Analyzing SnO2

In the compound SnO2, Sn (Tin) is a metal and O (Oxygen) is a non-metal. Tin is likely to lose electrons to create cations, and Oxygen tends to gain electrons to create anions. Therefore, SnO2 is likely an ionic compound.
03

Analyzing Al2O3

In the compound Al2O3, Al (Aluminium) is a metal and O (Oxygen) is a non-metal. Aluminium can lose electrons to form cations, while Oxygen gains electrons to form anions. Therefore, Al2O3 is likely an ionic compound.
04

Analyzing CO2

Since both C (Carbon) and O (Oxygen) are non-metal elements, they tend to share electrons to form covalent bonds. As a result, CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) is a molecular compound.
05

Analyzing Li2O

In the compound Li2O, Li (Lithium) is a metal and O (Oxygen) is a non-metal. Lithium can lose electrons to form cations, while Oxygen gains electrons to form anions. As a result, Li2O is likely an ionic compound.
06

Analyzing Fe2O3

In the compound Fe2O3, Fe (Iron) is a metal and O (Oxygen) is a non-metal. Iron tends to lose electrons to become cations, and Oxygen tends to gain electrons to become anions. Therefore, Fe2O3 is likely an ionic compound.
07

Analyzing H2O

In the compound H2O, H (Hydrogen) is a non-metal element and O (Oxygen) is a non-metal. Both Hydrogen and Oxygen share electrons to form covalent bonds. Thus, H2O (Water) is a molecular compound. In conclusion, SnO2, Al2O3, Li2O, and Fe2O3 are ionic compounds, and CO2 and H2O are molecular compounds.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

How do the sizes of atoms change as we move (a) from left to right across a row in the periodic table, (b) from top to bottom in a group in the periodic table? (c) Arrange the following atoms in order of increasing atomic radius: \(\mathrm{O}, \mathrm{Si}, \mathrm{I}, \mathrm{Ge} .\)

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