Final answer:
The incorrect statement is (d), stating it is acceptable to use a formula to refer to either an ionic compound or a molecular compound. While chemical formulas are used for both, the interpretation of these formulas for ionic and molecular compounds differs, with molecular formulas representing actual molecules.
Step-by-step explanation:
The incorrect statement in the following options provided by the student is:
(d) It is acceptable to use a formula to refer to either an ionic compound or a molecular compound. This statement can be misleading because while chemical formulas do represent both ionic and molecular compounds, the way these formulas are interpreted differs greatly. Ionic compounds, such as potassium chloride (KCl), are composed of ions: K+ (potassium ion) and Cl- (chloride ion), which are held together by ionic bonds due to electrostatic attraction. Molecular compounds, however, are usually composed of nonmetals sharing electrons through covalent bonds, and their formulas represent actual molecules. For example, H2O represents one molecule of water.
The other statements are correct as:
- (a) A molecule of potassium chloride, KCl, consists of one K+ ion and one Cl- ion.
- (b) Ions that possess a positive charge are called cations.
- (c) Polyatomic ions are groups of atoms that have an electric charge.
- (e) Ions that possess a negative charge are called anions.