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Home Q & A Board Science-Related Homework Help Chemistry (Moderator: Laser_3)
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michdo michdo
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11 years ago
I think that if the formula has two nonmetals, its molecular. And if there is one nonmetal and one metal then it is ionic. I have two questions:
What if you have two metals, or is that not possible?
And if you have a polyatomic ion, (like sulfate, acetate, ammonium, etc.) would that formula be ionic or molecular?
Thanks for the help!
Ok, thank you! That is exactly what I needed Slight Smile
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#1
11 years ago
You will never see two metals as a compound because they will not share or give up electrons to form a compound. Polyatomic ions are ionic because they give up electrons to form "ions"
The first to sentences you states are correct. That is the best way to know if it ionic of covalent. Thats what I did when I took chemistry.
wrote...
#2
11 years ago
you have to look at differences in electronegativities..

here is a table of electronegativities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronegativity

if difference < 0.5, the molecule is non polar covalent
if difference is between 0.5 and 1.5, the molecule is polar covalent
if difference is between 1.5 and 2.0 AND the molecule has a metal, it is ionic.  Otherwise it is polar covalent
if difference is > 2.0, it is ionic.
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