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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an ionic compound?
A
C_6H_{12}O_6
B
H_2O
C
NaCl
D
CO_2
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the difference between ionic and covalent compounds. Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons between metals and nonmetals, resulting in positive and negative ions held together by electrostatic forces. Covalent compounds involve the sharing of electrons between nonmetals.
Step 2: Analyze each given compound's formula to identify the types of elements involved. For example, C_6H_{12}O_6 (glucose) contains only nonmetals (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen), so it is covalent.
Step 3: Check H_2O and CO_2, which also contain only nonmetals (hydrogen and oxygen for water, carbon and oxygen for carbon dioxide), indicating they are covalent compounds.
Step 4: Identify NaCl, which consists of a metal (sodium, Na) and a nonmetal (chlorine, Cl). This combination typically forms an ionic bond due to electron transfer from the metal to the nonmetal.
Step 5: Conclude that NaCl is the ionic compound among the options because it is composed of ions, whereas the others are molecular covalent compounds.