How do you classify these chemical bonds as ionic, covalent, or both?

#CaCl_2#
#CO_2#
#H_2O#
#BaSO_4#
#K_2O#
#NaF#
#Na_2CO_3#
#CH_4#
#SO_3#
#LiBr#
#MgO#
#NH_4Cl#
#HCl#

1 Answer
anor277
Jul 14, 2018

Have you not got anymore for us to ponder...?

Explanation:

Ionic bonding involves the interaction of discrete ions...they are marked by non-molecularity, and the formation of ionic substances that have high melting and boiling points. You should look up the melting points of each substance listed in order to appreciate this.

#CaCl_2# #"ionic;"#

#CO_2# #"molecular;"#

#H_2O# #"molecular;"#

#BaSO_4, K_2O, NaF, Na_2CO_3# #"ionic;"#

#CH_4, SO_3# #"molecular"#

#LiBr, MgO, NH_4Cl# #"ionic"#

#HCl# #"molecular"#.

How do you know which is which? That proposition is a bit harder to address ...but I assure you that the melting points, and boiling points of the ionic materials will be quite elevated with respect to the non-ionic or molecular materials, ....the weakest ionic bond will occur for ammonium chloride, and its decomposition temperature will reflect this. In addition, there are many materials that ARE NON-IONIC, and NON-MOLECULAR, for instance diamond, or graphite, or silicon dioxide. Are these materials likely to have high or low melting or boiling points?

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