Question

Kevin had a blue crystal of an unidentified substance. He thinks it is anionic compound, but he wants to be sure.

Describe three characteristics that Kevin could look for to determine that his blue crystal is an ionic compound.

Answer 1

To determine if his blue crystal is an ionic compound, Kevin should look for its crystal structure, electrical conductivity, and chemical formula.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine whether his blue crystal is an ionic compound, Kevin can look for the following characteristics:

1. Crystal structure: Ionic compounds have a crystal lattice structure consisting of alternating positively-charged cations and negatively-charged anions. Kevin can examine the crystal structure of his blue crystal to see if it follows this pattern.
2. Electrical conductivity: Ionic compounds conduct electricity when dissolved in water or melted. Kevin can test the blue crystal's conductivity in water or when heated to determine if it conducts electricity.
3. Chemical formula: Ionic compounds are typically composed of a metal and a nonmetal or polyatomic ions. Kevin can analyze the chemical formula of his blue crystal to check if it fits this composition.