Which of the following are ionic, and which are molecular? (a) PF₅

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the difference between ionic and molecular compounds. Ionic compounds are formed when a metal reacts with a nonmetal. Molecular compounds are formed when two or more nonmetals react with each other.
2. Step 2: Identify the elements in the compound PF₅. P stands for Phosphorus and F stands for Fluorine. Both of these elements are nonmetals.
3. Step 3: Since both elements in the compound are nonmetals, PF₅ is a molecular compound.

Key Concepts

Ionic vs. Molecular Compounds

Ionic compounds are formed when atoms transfer electrons, resulting in the formation of charged ions that attract each other due to electrostatic forces. In contrast, molecular compounds consist of atoms that share electrons through covalent bonds. Understanding the distinction between these two types of compounds is essential for classifying substances correctly.

Electronegativity

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a bond. In ionic compounds, there is a significant difference in electronegativity between the bonded atoms, leading to electron transfer. For molecular compounds, the atoms typically have similar electronegativities, resulting in shared electrons. This concept helps predict whether a compound is ionic or molecular.

Chemical Structure of PF5

PF5, or phosphorus pentafluoride, is a molecular compound where phosphorus is covalently bonded to five fluorine atoms. The structure features a trigonal bipyramidal geometry, indicating that the bonding involves shared electron pairs rather than ionic interactions. Analyzing the chemical structure aids in determining the nature of the compound as molecular rather than ionic.