Binary Ionic Compounds

Front

What is a binary ionic compound?

Back

A binary ionic compound is a chemical compound composed of two different elements, typically consisting of a metal and a non-metal, that are held together by ionic bonds.

Front

What is the general formula for binary ionic compounds?

Back

The general formula for binary ionic compounds is AxBy, where A is the cation (metal) and B is the anion (non-metal), and x and y are the number of each ion needed to balance the charge.

Front

How do you determine the formula for lithium fluoride?

Back

Lithium (Li) has a +1 charge and fluoride (F) has a -1 charge. Therefore, the formula is LiF.

Front

What is the charge of magnesium in magnesium oxide?

Back

Magnesium (Mg) has a +2 charge, and oxide (O) has a -2 charge, resulting in the formula MgO.

Front

What is the formula for calcium chloride and why?

Back

The formula for calcium chloride is CaCl2 because calcium (Ca) has a +2 charge and each chloride (Cl) has a -1 charge, requiring two chloride ions to balance the charge.

Front

How do you write the formula for aluminum sulfide?

Back

Aluminum (Al) has a +3 charge and sulfide (S) has a -2 charge. The formula is Al2S3 to balance the charges.

Front

What is the formula for aluminum chloride?

Back

The formula for aluminum chloride is AlCl3 because aluminum (Al) has a +3 charge and each chloride (Cl) has a -1 charge, requiring three chloride ions.

Front

What is the significance of subscripts in chemical formulas?

Back

Subscripts in chemical formulas indicate the number of atoms of each element in a compound, which is essential for understanding the composition and stoichiometry of the compound.

Front

What is the role of ionic bonds in binary ionic compounds?

Back

Ionic bonds are formed through the transfer of electrons from the metal to the non-metal, resulting in the attraction between positively and negatively charged ions.

Front

How do you determine the charges of ions in binary ionic compounds?

Back

The charges of ions can be determined based on their position in the periodic table; metals typically lose electrons to form positive ions, while non-metals gain electrons to form negative ions.