Which compound is predominently covalent?
2.)oxalate
3.)mercury(II)oxide
4.)ammonia
?
Answer:
Ammonia a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen is formed by covalent bonding , hence, it is predominantly covalent. Others are generally ionic bonds.
H
x.
I
: N ----x.H
I
x.
H
your dorkism
Ammonia
Covalent: non-metal + non-metal
Ionic = metal + non-metal
scandium is a metal, bromide is a non-metal = ionic
oxalate is a polyatomic ION
mercury is a metal oxide is a non-metal = ionic
N is a non-metal H is a non-metal = covalent
This question probably wants you to consider the electro-negativity of the atoms in each bond. (Fluorine is the most electronegative: 4.0)
If your periodic table doesn't include this information, check out www.webelements.com
In general, a difference of electro negativity of 0 to 0.4 is considered a "pure covalent" bond,
between 0.4 and 1.7 is a "polar covalent" bond
A difference in polarity of more than 1.7 is considered an ionic bond.
In general, metals have low electronegativity and non-metals have higher electronegativity.
Using this formula, you get the following "covalent character" for each of your questions:
.)scandium(III)bromide Sc(1.8) Br(3.0) difference: 1.2
2.)oxalate (an ion with C and O) C(2.5) O(3.5) difference: 1.0
3.)mercury(II)oxide
4.)ammonia N(3.0) H(2.1) difference: 0.9
In general, we would expect that 2 and 4 would be covalent, while 1 and 3 are closer to ionic.
To determine which is mostly covalent, look for the smallest electronegativity difference.
Here, ammonia is slightly less polar than oxalate, thus it has more of a pure covalent bond.
Oxalate
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