Ch. 2 The Chemistry of Life

Amerman3rd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138247201, 9780138247928, 9780138201814Not the one you use?Change textbook

Amerman 3rd Edition

Ch. 2 The Chemistry of Life

Problem 5

Chapter 2, Problem 5

Identify each of the following molecules or compounds as ionic, polar covalent, or nonpolar covalent.
a. H₂O _____
b. LiI _
c. C₁₀H₂₂ _
d. N₂ _
e. MgBr₂ _
f. H₂S _____

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the types of bonds. Ionic bonds occur between metals and nonmetals where electrons are transferred. Covalent bonds occur between nonmetals where electrons are shared. Polar covalent bonds involve unequal sharing of electrons, while nonpolar covalent bonds involve equal sharing of electrons.

Step 2: Analyze the molecule H2O. Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, causing an unequal sharing of electrons. This makes H2O a polar covalent molecule.

Step 3: Analyze the compound LiI. Lithium is a metal and iodine is a nonmetal. Electrons are transferred from lithium to iodine, forming an ionic bond.

Step 4: Analyze the molecule C10H22. Carbon and hydrogen have similar electronegativities, leading to equal sharing of electrons. This makes C10H22 a nonpolar covalent molecule.

Step 5: Repeat the analysis for N2, MgBr2, and H2S. N2 involves equal sharing of electrons between two nitrogen atoms, making it nonpolar covalent. MgBr2 involves a metal (magnesium) and a nonmetal (bromine), forming an ionic bond. H2S involves sulfur being more electronegative than hydrogen, leading to unequal sharing of electrons, making it polar covalent.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Ionic Bonds

Ionic bonds form when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the creation of charged ions. These oppositely charged ions attract each other, creating a strong electrostatic force. Ionic compounds typically consist of a metal and a nonmetal, and they tend to have high melting and boiling points, as well as being soluble in water.

Covalent Bonds

Covalent bonds occur when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. This sharing can be equal or unequal, leading to different types of covalent bonds: nonpolar covalent bonds (equal sharing) and polar covalent bonds (unequal sharing). The polarity of a molecule affects its physical properties, such as solubility and boiling point.

Molecular Polarity

Molecular polarity is determined by the distribution of electrical charge across a molecule. A molecule is polar if it has a significant difference in electronegativity between its atoms, leading to a dipole moment. Nonpolar molecules have an even distribution of charge, while polar molecules have regions of partial positive and negative charge, influencing their interactions with other substances.

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Characteristic 1: Polarity

Related Practice

Textbook Question

Explain the difference between an ionic and a covalent bond.

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Many drugs and poisons exert their effects by blocking one or more enzymes. How could blocking an enzyme lead to the death of a cell?

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Textbook Question

The polysaccharide cellulose is not digestible by humans, as we lack the enzyme cellulase, which is required to break it down. Certain dietary supplements contain the enzyme cellulase and claim that being able to break down cellulose will help a person lose weight. But what do you think would happen if we could digest the cellulose we ate?

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Textbook Question

What are hydrogen bonds, and how do they form?

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Textbook Question

Describe what takes place during a chemical reaction.

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Textbook Question

Match the following terms with the correct definition:

Endergonic reaction

Potential energy

Electrical energy