CaO(s) into ions than to break up KF(s) into ions?
isnt Fluorine the most electronegative atom and thus woudlnt it be harder to break it from potassium?
2006-11-30 13:20:21 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The bond strength between calcium and oxygen in calcium oxide is greater. This is because in calcium oxide, calcium has given two electrons to oxygen. The ions would thus be Ca2+ and O2-. The K-F ionic bond is formed by the giving of only one electron to fluorine from potassium and is thus weaker.
2006-11-30 13:26:21 · answer #1 · answered by Lucan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it is easier because the potassium is so not interested in keeping the electron it gave to the fluorine, which is more than happy to take it away.
Calcium is a bit more interested in keeping its electron than potassium is, and oxygen not as strong in its capability to take them away as fluorine.
Once it is settled which atoms gets the electron, then they are quite happy to part company and go into ionic form.
2006-11-30 21:25:30 · answer #2 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since calcium and oxygen are divalent their charges are 2+ and 2-, and that means the force between them is ~4 times greater than between monovalent ions like K+ and F-
2006-11-30 21:23:54 · answer #3 · answered by Some Body 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋