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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an ionic compound?
A
CO2
B
H2O
C
C6H12O6
D
NaCl
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 composition. CO2 (carbon dioxide), H2O (water), and C6H12O6 (glucose) are composed only of nonmetal atoms, which typically form covalent bonds.
Step 3: Recognize that NaCl (sodium chloride) consists of a metal (Na) and a nonmetal (Cl), which is characteristic of ionic compounds due to the electron transfer from sodium to chlorine.
Step 4: Conclude that among the options, NaCl is the ionic compound because it contains ions formed by metal and nonmetal elements, whereas the others are molecular covalent compounds.
Step 5: Remember that ionic compounds generally have high melting points and conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in water, which can help in identifying them experimentally.