Classify each of the following as ionic or molecular, and name each: (6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5) a. Li₂HPO₄

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the types of elements present in the compound. Lithium (Li) is a metal, and HPO₄ is a polyatomic ion containing nonmetals.
2. Determine if the compound is ionic or molecular. Compounds containing metals and nonmetals or polyatomic ions are typically ionic.
3. Since Li is a metal and HPO₄ is a polyatomic ion, classify Li₂HPO₄ as an ionic compound.
4. Name the compound. The cation (Li) is named first, followed by the name of the polyatomic ion (HPO₄).
5. The name of Li₂HPO₄ is lithium hydrogen phosphate.

Key Concepts

Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are formed when atoms transfer electrons, resulting in the formation of charged ions. These compounds typically consist of a metal and a non-metal, where the metal donates electrons and the non-metal accepts them. The electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions holds the compound together, leading to high melting and boiling points.

Molecular Compounds

Molecular compounds are formed when two or more non-metal atoms share electrons through covalent bonds. Unlike ionic compounds, they do not consist of ions but rather discrete molecules. These compounds generally have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds and can exist in various states (solid, liquid, gas) at room temperature.

Naming Conventions

The naming of ionic and molecular compounds follows specific conventions. Ionic compounds are named by stating the cation first followed by the anion, often with the anion's name modified to end in '-ide' for simple ions. Molecular compounds use prefixes (mono-, di-, tri-, etc.) to indicate the number of atoms of each element present, allowing for clear identification of the compound's composition.