Predict whether each of the following compounds is molecular or ionic: (h) Ag2SO4.

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Identify the elements present in the compound Ag2SO4. Silver (Ag) is a metal, and sulfate (SO4) is a polyatomic ion.

Recall that ionic compounds typically consist of metals combined with nonmetals or polyatomic ions.

Recognize that silver (Ag) is a metal and sulfate (SO4) is a polyatomic ion, which suggests an ionic bond.

Consider the general rule that compounds containing a metal and a polyatomic ion are usually ionic.

Conclude that Ag2SO4 is an ionic compound because it consists of a metal (Ag) and a polyatomic ion (SO4).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are formed when atoms transfer electrons, resulting in the formation of charged ions. These compounds typically consist of a metal and a non-metal, where the metal loses electrons to become a positively charged cation, and the non-metal gains electrons to become a negatively charged anion. The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions leads to the formation of a crystalline lattice structure.

Molecular Compounds

Molecular compounds are formed when two or more non-metal atoms share electrons through covalent bonds. Unlike ionic compounds, they do not consist of ions but rather discrete molecules. These compounds often have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds and can exist in various states (solid, liquid, gas) at room temperature.

Silver Sulfate (Ag2SO4)

Silver sulfate (Ag2SO4) is an ionic compound composed of silver ions (Ag+) and sulfate ions (SO4^2-). The presence of a metal (silver) and a polyatomic ion (sulfate) indicates that the compound is ionic. In Ag2SO4, two silver ions balance the charge of one sulfate ion, resulting in a stable ionic structure.

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