Question

Write the difference between ionic compounds and covalent compounds?

Answer 1

Hint: To solve this question we must know about the types of bonds in various chemical compounds. The different compounds are formed due to bonds formed between the corresponding atoms of any molecules. Ionic bond, covalent bond, hydrogen bond, and van der wall’s interaction are the types of bond present between the various chemical compounds.

Complete step by step answer:
There are some differences between ionic compounds and covalent compounds shown below,
Ionic compounds are formed between a cation and an anion. A cation is an electropositive ion and prefers to lose the valence electrons. Similarly, anions are electronegative ions and prefer to gain electrons. The electro positivity or electronegativity of any ion can be determined by the electronic configuration of the elements.
In the case of an ionic compound Ionic bond involves complete transfer of electrons as there occurs the formation of ions called cation and anion, therefore, there exists a huge electrostatic force of attraction which makes it a strong bond. For example, sodium chloride is formed by an ionic bond between sodium and chloride ion due to the strong bonding they have high melting and boiling point.
in the case of a covalent compound Covalent bond involves the sharing of two or more outer shell electrons that can hold all biomolecules together. Shared electrons are difficult to give away because two elements together share the electrons and make the bond stronger. For example, a water molecule has a covalent bond in it. The covalent bond is not strong like ionic bonds that is why the melting point and boiling point of the covalent compound are less than ionic compounds.

Additional information:
The nature of the bond formed between two atoms can be determined based on Fagan's Rule. By the nature of the bond, we mean whether the bond formed is covalent or ionic in nature. Fajan's Rule is based on 2 major characteristics:
1.The size of the ions involved: The larger size of the anion and smaller size of the cation, would influence the ionic bond between the elements formed to exhibit a greater covalent nature.
2.Charges on the ions involved: The covalent character of the ionic bond is directly dependent on the charge on the cation. This means that a higher charge on the cation would influence the ionic bond to be more covalent
Now you must be wondering why we are discussing the covalent characters of ionic bonds. The reason for this is that only covalent solids have the capability of being dissolved in organic solvents like ethanol. Now let us discuss the options given to us.
All the ionic compounds present have one common anion – chlorine. Hence the size of the cation would determine the covalent character of the compound.
If we look in the periodic table, Lithium is placed at the top of group 1 and all the other cations mentioned below are placed at lower positions. Hence, the size of the atom of Lithium is the smallest as compared with the other cations in the options. Hence, LiCl has the highest covalent character.

Note: Polarization power is the distortion in an ion due to other ion’s power is, which is the phenomena responsible for a covalent character in ionic bonding. This can be explained in detail by considering Farzan’s rules that even a \[100\% \] ionic bond has some characteristics of a covalent bond. Therefore, some ionic compounds have characteristics of the covalent compound.