Question

Which is most likely a covalent compound?
a. LiF
b.MgS
c.NH3
d.CaCl2

messed up on the first attempt of posting this question, sorry!!

Answer 1

Remember, covalent compounds are compounds with bonds between two non-metals. Ionic bonds are those between a metal and a non-metal.

To determine if an element is a metal or non-metal, simply look at the periodic table! So...

a. Li is found on the left side while F is found on the right. A bond between a metal and a non-metal. This is an ionic bond.

b. Mg is found on the left side while S is found on the right. A bond between a metal and a non-metal. This is an ionic bond.

c. This is a tricky one. ammonia, or NH3, is covalent. You just have to remember this one. It has no net charge, unlike its brother NH4 (which has a 1+ charge put is still covalently bonded). Hydrogen has weird properties!

d. Ca is found of the left side while Cl is found on the right. A bond between a metal and a non-metal. This is an ionic bond. Also consider the charges! Ca has a charge of 2+ but Cl only has a charge of 1-. This is why there are 2 Cloride atoms.

Answer 2

NH3 because covalent bond are bonds made of sharing between two compounds and ionic bonds are made up of electron transfer between two molecules and only metal and non metals can make ionic bonds since metal donates and non metal accepts electrons. Non metals are not able to do so because their valance shell has less electrons than 8. Now the general rule is all species wants to stay in its most stable form and components are stable when their last e shell has a complete octet. Therefore, in order to form octet non metals share e . And in the above example only nh3 compound has two non metals. Therefore, it is a covalent compound. Although I’m not at good at explaining just tried . Thank you hope it helps!