Classify each compound as ionic or molecular. a. CF₂Cl₂ b. CCl₄ c. PtO₂ d. SO₃

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Identify the types of elements involved in each compound. Ionic compounds typically consist of metals and nonmetals, while molecular (covalent) compounds consist of nonmetals only.

For compound CF2Cl2: Carbon (C), Fluorine (F), and Chlorine (Cl) are all nonmetals. Therefore, CF2Cl2 is a molecular compound.

For compound CCl4: Carbon (C) and Chlorine (Cl) are nonmetals. Therefore, CCl4 is a molecular compound.

For compound PtO2: Platinum (Pt) is a metal and Oxygen (O) is a nonmetal. Therefore, PtO2 is an ionic compound.

For compound SO3: Sulfur (S) and Oxygen (O) are nonmetals. Therefore, SO3 is a molecular compound.

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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. Typically, these compounds consist of a metal and a non-metal, where the metal donates electrons and the non-metal accepts them. The electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions creates a strong bond, leading to high melting and boiling points.

Molecular Compounds

Molecular compounds are formed when two or more non-metals share electrons through covalent bonds. These compounds usually have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds and can exist in various states (solid, liquid, gas) at room temperature. The properties of molecular compounds are influenced by the types of atoms involved and the shape of the molecules.

Electronegativity and Bonding

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a bond. In classifying compounds, understanding the electronegativity of the constituent elements helps determine whether a bond is ionic or covalent. A significant difference in electronegativity between two atoms typically indicates an ionic bond, while similar values suggest a covalent bond, which is crucial for identifying molecular compounds.

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