Do ionic compounds exist as discrete molecules?

However, ionic compounds do not exist as discrete molecules, as the dot diagrams may suggest. In order to minimize the potential energy of the system, ionic compounds take on the form of an extended three-dimensional array of alternating cations and anions.

Why are ionic compounds not represented by a molecular formula?

Ionic compounds are not represented by molecular formulae because they are not made up of single molecules and so they must be represented by a formulae that shows the relative number of the compound’s component ions.

What is a discrete molecule?

Basically a ‘discrete molecule’ is a covalent molecule in which the intermolecular forces are really weak, hence the low melting and boiling points of these molecules. The forces which act between these molecules are called Van Der Waals forces which is a intermolecular (between molecules) force.

Which compound does not exist as a molecule?

The strong electrostatic attraction between adjacent cations and anions is known as an ionic bond. The most common example of an ionic compound is sodium chloride NaCl, better known as table salt. Unlike covalent compounds, there is no such thing as a molecule of an ionic compound.

Which elements exist as discrete molecules?

All of the diatomic elements exist as discrete molecules: hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, bromine, iodine, and chlorine.

Why are ionic compounds not considered molecules but ionic crystals?

No, ionic compounds are crystals of infinite cations and anions bound together. There is no “molecule” of ionic compounds such as, for example, NaCl, because there are no single units of the compound.

Why do ionic compounds exist?

Ionic compounds consist of oppositely charged ions that are held together by ionic bonds. Ionic compounds form when metals transfer valence electrons to nonmetals. Ionic compounds exist as crystals rather than molecules. A crystal consists of many alternating positive and negative ions bonded together in a matrix.

What compounds exist as discrete molecules?

Most of the discrete covalent molecules are diatomic elements:

• Hydrogen (H 2)
• Nitrogen (N 2)
• Oxygen (O 2)
• Fluorine (F 2)
• Chlorine (Cl 2)

Are molecular compounds composed of discrete molecules?

Molecular compounds are composed of discrete molecules. Molecular compounds typically have low melting and boiling points because the attraction between molecules (which are electrically neutral) is weaker than that between electrically charged ions.

Why are all compounds molecules but all molecules are not compounds?

When two or more atoms of different elements join together, we call it a compound. All compounds are molecules, but not all molecules are compounds. That is because a molecule can be made up of two atoms of the same kind, as when two oxygen atoms bind together to make an oxygen molecule.

Why all molecules are not compounds?

A molecule is formed when two or more atoms of an element chemically join together. Not all molecules are compounds, because some molecules, such as hydrogen gas or ozone, consist only of one element, of only one type of atom.

How do we know pure substances are discrete?

Discrete particle chemistry considers molecules or elements discrete depending on the lack of interaction. Elements in their elemental form may be considered discrete. An element in its elemental form is composed of only that element and not combined with other elements.

Why don’t molecules of ionic compounds exist?

Why don’t molecules of ionic compounds exist? As single ions of a metal are not associated in the solid with single ions of a non metal, separate units of ionic compounds do not exist. It is, therefore, wrong to talk of a molecule of an ionic compound.

What is an ionic compound made of?

Ionic compounds consist of independent charged entities, called ions. Ions also can be together in a crystal lattice, or in liquids. So, an ionic compound actually has two (or even more) different species in a single crystal or solution, which exist independently.

What is discrete molecule?

Discrete molecule is a molecule in which the intermolecular forces are weak, hence the low melting and boiling points of these molecules. And we know that covalent compounds due to sharing of electrons and low electronegativity difference, have weak intermolecular forces, hence the low melting and boiling points of these molecules.

Why are molecular compounds not good electrical conductors?

Molecular compounds are not good electrical conductors. Ionic bonds are the strongest type of chemical bond and, therefore, most compounds are solids with very high melting points. Covalent bonds are quite weak; hence, most compounds exist in the gaseous phase.