between ionic and molecular compounds? I can't find it in my notes and I can't find the definition I'm looking for on the internet. Also, how can you tell the difference just by looking at the formula? Ex: LiBr
Thanks!
2006-10-29 10:40:01 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Ionic compounds have ionic bonds, which means they have transferred electrons from one to the other, making ions which are attracted to each other.From your example, LiBr, the Li gave an electron to Br . The Li becamr Li+ and the Br became Br- Opposites attract. In a molecular compound thee are covalent bonds here electrons are shared. as in CH4. Usually metals from columns 1 and 2 join with wlth nonmetals from columns 16 or 17 to form ionic compounds by giving and taking electrons. Elements from the center of the periodic table, colums 4,5 share electrons.
2006-10-29 11:17:49 · answer #1 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the bonding structure is the main difference
Ionic compound gain or lose electrons to become charged and then attract each other.
Molecular compounds share electrons to make a full outer shell.
Generally a metal with a non metal is ionic.
Two non-metals is usually molecular.
2006-10-29 19:02:18 · answer #2 · answered by The Cheminator 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋