Question

Which is more ionic?
NaF, NaCl, NaBr, NaI

Answer 1

Hint: Ionic compounds are basically defined as the crystalline solids that are formed by neatly packed ions of opposite charge. These are usually formed when metals react with non-metals. They generally break into pieces when pressure is applied and hence are considered as brittle.

Complete step by step answer:
Ionic compounds are the ion compounds. These ions are atoms that gain or lose electrons and thus resulting in a net positive or negative charge. Moreover, the metals tend to lose electrons and have a positive charge and become cations whereas non- metals tend to gain electrons and have a negative charge and become anions.
Now, the ionic compounds include salts, oxides, hydroxides, sulfides and majority of inorganic compounds. Moreover, the ionic solids are held together by the electrostatic attraction between the positive and negative ions. For example, the sodium ions attract chloride ions and the chloride ion attracts the sodium ions. This further results in a three-dimensional structure of sodium and chloride ions. The forces of attraction between the ions hold them in the structures. The structure is as shown:

Now, among halogens i.e. chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine, fluorine has the highest electronegativity and hence it is considered as the most ionic followed by chlorine and bromine.

Hence, NaF is more ionic.

Note: The ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points and appear to be strong and brittle. They are generally soluble in polar solvents such as water whereas solubility tends to decrease in non-polar solvents such as petrol, gasoline etc. Moreover, ionic compounds do not conduct electricity in the solid state but are good conductors in molten states.