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Which formula is incorrect because it does not represent a known ionic compound?a) Ca2O3b) CaCl2c) RbBrd) MgCl2e) K2S

1 Answer

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First of all, let's calculate the polarity of every molecule.

To calculate the polarity we need to know the electronegativity of every element too.

To know the polarity, we proceed like this:

a) Ca2O3

The absolute value of the difference in electronegativity (ΔEN). If it is higher than 1.7 or equal to 1.7 we have an ionic compound.

ΔEN = EN (O) - EN (Ca) = 3.44 - 1 = 2.44 > 1.7 => Ionic

Ypu can find out electronativities from the periodic table

b) CaCl2

ΔEN = 3.16 (Cl) - 1 (Ca) = 2.16 (ionic)

c)RbBr

ΔEN = 2.96 (Br) - 0.82 (Rb) = 2.14 (ionic)

d)MgCl2

ΔEN = 3.16 (Cl) - 1.31 (Mg) = 1.85 (ionic)

e)K2S

ΔEN =2.58(S) - 0.82 (K) = 1.76 (ionic)

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The formula is incorrect for Ca2O3 because the oxidation state for Ca is +2, and the ionic compound is CaO, not Ca2O3

Answer: a) Ca2O3

User Reza Afzalan
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