To determine whether the compounds listed are covalent or ionic, we first need to understand the characteristics of each type of bond. Ionic compounds typically form between metals and nonmetals, involving the transfer of electrons. Covalent compounds, on the other hand, usually form between nonmetals and involve the sharing of electrons.
- A. Sodium Chloride (NaCl) – Ionic: Sodium is a metal, and chlorine is a nonmetal. Sodium donates an electron to chlorine, resulting in an ionic bond.
- B. Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3) – Ionic: This compound consists of sodium ions and carbonate ions, which also indicates the presence of ionic bonding.
- C. Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) – Ionic: Similar to sodium carbonate, this compound retains ionic characteristics as it contains sodium ions and bicarbonate ions.
- D. Potassium Chloride (KCl) – Ionic: Like sodium chloride, potassium chloride forms an ionic bond between potassium (a metal) and chlorine (a nonmetal).
- E. Sucrose (C12H22O11) – Covalent: Sucrose, or table sugar, consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, all of which share electrons, characterizing it as a covalent compound.
- F. Copper (II) Sulfate (CuSO4) – Ionic: This compound is made from copper ions and sulfate ions, indicating it is held together by ionic bonds.
- G. Corn Starch – Covalent: Corn starch is a polysaccharide made of glucose units, where the bonds between the sugar units are covalent.
- H. Corn Oil – Covalent: Corn oil consists of triglycerides formed through covalent bonds between glycerol and fatty acids.
- I. Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol, C3H8O) – Covalent: This compound is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, involving shared electrons, hence it is covalent.
In summary, the ionic compounds from the list are sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, and copper (II) sulfate. The covalent compounds are sucrose, corn starch, corn oil, and rubbing alcohol.