Question

Be sure to answer all parts. Rank the members of each set of compounds in order of increasing ionic character of their bonds.

(a) HBr, HCl, HI
b) H₂O, CH₄, HF
c) SCl₂, PCl₃, SiCl₄

Answer 1

The compounds are ranked in order of increasing ionic character based on the size of the halide ion and the electronegativity differences (HCl < HBr < HI), the polarity of bonds (CH₄ < H₂O < HF), and the electropositivity of the central atom (SCl₂ < PCl₃ < SiCl₄).

Step-by-step explanation:

Rank the members of each set of compounds in order of increasing ionic character of their bonds:

1. HBr, HCl, HI: The ionic character increases with the increasing size of the halide ion (atomic number). Therefore, the order is HCl < HBr < HI.
2. H₂O, CH₄, HF: Due to the electronegativity difference, HF has more ionic character than H₂O, and CH₄ has the least because it is a nonpolar molecule. The order is CH₄ < H₂O < HF.
3. SCl₂, PCl₃, SiCl₄: The ionic character increases with the increasing oxidation state of the central atom, which in turn relates to its electropositivity. The order is SCl₂ < PCl₃ < SiCl₄.