Textbook Question
Suggest a plausible structure for the silicate anion in the mineral thortveitite, Sc2Si2O7.
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Ch.22 - The Main Group Elements
McMurry8th EditionChemistryISBN: 9781292336145
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Chemical Tools: Experimentation & Measurement170
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules & Ions160
- Ch.3 - Mass Relationships in Chemical Reactions169
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution199
- Ch.5 - Periodicity & Electronic Structure of Atoms102
- Ch.6 - Ionic Compounds: Periodic Trends and Bonding Theory92
- Ch.7 - Covalent Bonding and Electron-Dot Structures61
- Ch.8 - Covalent Compounds: Bonding Theories and Molecular Structure59
- Ch.9 - Thermochemistry: Chemical Energy122
- Ch.10 - Gases: Their Properties & Behavior155
- Ch.11 - Liquids & Phase Changes54
- Ch.12 - Solids and Solid-State Materials73
- Ch.13 - Solutions & Their Properties120
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics98
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium125
- Ch.16 - Aqueous Equilibria: Acids & Bases110
- Ch.17 - Applications of Aqueous Equilibria147
- Ch.18 - Thermodynamics: Entropy, Free Energy & Equilibrium86
- Ch.19 - Electrochemistry154
- Ch.20 - Nuclear Chemistry96
- Ch.21 - Transition Elements and Coordination Chemistry156
- Ch.22 - The Main Group Elements187
- Ch.23 - Organic and Biological Chemistry51
Chapter 22, Problem 22.84
List three ways in which the properties of boron differ from those of the other group 3A elements.
Verified step by step guidance1
1. Boron is a metalloid, while the other elements in Group 3A (Aluminium, Gallium, Indium, Thallium) are metals. This means that boron has properties of both metals and nonmetals, while the other elements in this group are primarily metallic in nature.
2. Boron has a much higher melting point and boiling point compared to the other elements in Group 3A. This is due to the strong covalent bonding in boron, while the other elements in this group have metallic bonding which is generally weaker.
3. Boron is less reactive than the other elements in Group 3A. This is because boron has a stable half-filled p orbital, making it less likely to participate in chemical reactions. The other elements in Group 3A are more reactive due to their tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Group 3A Elements
Group 3A elements, also known as Group 13 in the periodic table, include boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, and thallium. These elements share similar valence electron configurations, typically having three electrons in their outer shell. However, their properties can vary significantly due to differences in atomic size, electronegativity, and metallic character as you move down the group.
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Group 3A vs. Group 2A Elements
Metalloid vs. Metal
Boron is classified as a metalloid, which means it exhibits properties of both metals and nonmetals, such as being a poor conductor of electricity and having a high melting point. In contrast, the other Group 3A elements are metals, characterized by good electrical conductivity, malleability, and ductility. This distinction leads to significant differences in their chemical reactivity and physical properties.
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03:37Metalloid Properties
Oxidation States
Boron primarily exhibits a +3 oxidation state in its compounds, but it can also show a +1 state in certain cases. The other Group 3A elements predominantly exhibit +3 oxidation states as well, but they can also form +1 oxidation states more readily due to their metallic nature. This difference in oxidation states influences the types of compounds formed and their chemical behavior.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
a. Why is the SO3 molecule trigonal planar but the SO32– ion is trigonal pyramidal?
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Textbook Question
Why are CO and CN– so toxic to humans?
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Textbook Question
Consider the six second- and third-row elements in groups 4A–6A of the periodic table:
Possible structures for the binary fluorides of each of these elements in its highest oxidation state are shown below.
(a) Identify the nonfluorine atom in each case, and write the molecular formula of each fluoride.
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Textbook Question
Which compound in each of the following pairs is more covalent?
(a) PCl3 or AlF3
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Textbook Question
Arrange the following oxides in order of increasing basic character: Al2O3, Cs2O, K2O, N2O5.
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