The ionic substance strontium oxide, SrO, forms from the reaction of strontium metal with molecular oxygen. The arrangement of the ions in solid SrO is analogous to that in solid NaCl: (a) Write a balanced equation for the formation of SrO(s) from its elements.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements involved in the formation of strontium oxide: strontium (Sr) and oxygen (O).
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation for the reaction: Sr (s) + O_2 (g) \rightarrow SrO (s).
3. Balance the equation by ensuring the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. Start by balancing the oxygen atoms.
4. Since O_2 has two oxygen atoms, you need two SrO units to balance the oxygen: Sr (s) + O_2 (g) \rightarrow 2 SrO (s).
5. Balance the strontium atoms by placing a coefficient of 2 in front of Sr: 2 Sr (s) + O_2 (g) \rightarrow 2 SrO (s).

Key Concepts

Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are formed when atoms transfer electrons, resulting in the formation of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. In the case of strontium oxide (SrO), strontium (Sr) donates two electrons to become Sr²⁺, while oxygen (O) accepts those electrons to form O²⁻. The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions leads to the formation of a stable ionic lattice.

Balanced Chemical Equations

A balanced chemical equation represents a chemical reaction with equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. This is crucial for obeying the law of conservation of mass. For the formation of SrO, the balanced equation must reflect the stoichiometry of the reactants (strontium and oxygen) and the product (strontium oxide), ensuring that the total number of each atom is the same before and after the reaction.

Formation of Ionic Compounds from Elements

The formation of ionic compounds from their constituent elements involves a direct reaction where elements combine to form a compound. In the case of strontium oxide, strontium metal reacts with molecular oxygen (O₂) to produce SrO. Understanding this process includes recognizing the states of the reactants and products, as well as the energy changes associated with the formation of ionic bonds.