Textbook Question
Predict whether each of the following compounds is molecular or ionic: (f) K2O2 (g) PCl5
Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Introduction: Matter, Energy, and Measurement177
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions231
- Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry216
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution189
- Ch.5 - Thermochemistry175
- Ch.6 - Electronic Structure of Atoms168
- Ch.7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements150
- Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding177
- Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories200
- Ch.10 - Gases179
- Ch.11 - Liquids and Intermolecular Forces113
- Ch.12 - Solids and Modern Materials154
- Ch.13 - Properties of Solutions157
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics199
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium128
- Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria164
- Ch.17 - Additional Aspects of Aqueous Equilibria163
- Ch.18 - Chemistry of the Environment105
- Ch.19 - Chemical Thermodynamics164
- Ch.20 - Electrochemistry171
- Ch.21 - Nuclear Chemistry122
- Ch.22 - Chemistry of the Nonmetals82
- Ch.23 - Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry79
- Ch.24 - The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry16
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 2, Problem 66
Which of the following are ionic, and which are molecular? (a) PF5
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the difference between ionic and molecular compounds. Ionic compounds are formed when a metal reacts with a nonmetal. Molecular compounds are formed when two or more nonmetals react with each other.
Step 2: Identify the elements in the compound PF5. P stands for Phosphorus and F stands for Fluorine. Both of these elements are nonmetals.
Step 3: Since both elements in the compound are nonmetals, PF5 is a molecular compound.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Ionic vs. Molecular Compounds
Ionic compounds are formed when atoms transfer electrons, resulting in the formation of charged ions that attract each other due to electrostatic forces. In contrast, molecular compounds consist of atoms that share electrons through covalent bonds. Understanding the distinction between these two types of compounds is essential for classifying substances correctly.
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Ionic Compounds Naming
Electronegativity
Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a bond. In ionic compounds, there is a significant difference in electronegativity between the bonded atoms, leading to electron transfer. For molecular compounds, the atoms typically have similar electronegativities, resulting in shared electrons. This concept helps predict whether a compound is ionic or molecular.
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Chemical Structure of PF5
PF5, or phosphorus pentafluoride, is a molecular compound where phosphorus is covalently bonded to five fluorine atoms. The structure features a trigonal bipyramidal geometry, indicating that the bonding involves shared electron pairs rather than ionic interactions. Analyzing the chemical structure aids in determining the nature of the compound as molecular rather than ionic.
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