Classify each compound as ionic or molecular. a. CO₂ b. NiCl₂ c. Nal d. PCl₃

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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 a (CO2): Recognize that both carbon (C) and oxygen (O) are nonmetals. Therefore, CO2 is a molecular compound.

For compound b (NiCl2): Identify that nickel (Ni) is a metal and chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal. This combination indicates that NiCl2 is an ionic compound.

For compound c (NaI): Note that sodium (Na) is a metal and iodine (I) is a nonmetal. This suggests that NaI is an ionic compound.

For compound d (PCl3): Observe that both phosphorus (P) and chlorine (Cl) are nonmetals. Thus, PCl3 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 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 holds the compound together.

Molecular Compounds

Molecular compounds are formed when two or more non-metal atoms share electrons through covalent bonds. These compounds consist of discrete molecules, where the atoms are held together by shared pairs of electrons. Molecular compounds often have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds and can exist in various states (solid, liquid, gas) at room temperature.

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 difference in electronegativity between the atoms involved helps determine whether a bond is ionic or covalent. A large difference in electronegativity typically indicates an ionic bond, while a small difference suggests a covalent bond, which is crucial for identifying whether a compound is ionic or molecular.

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