Determine whether the following compounds are covalent or ionic and provide their proper names

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 85 views

Determine whether the following compounds are covalent or ionic and provide their proper names

In chemistry, compounds can be classified into two main categories: covalent and ionic. Covalent compounds are formed when two or more atoms share electrons to form a chemical bond, while ionic compounds are formed when one or more electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions with opposite charges. In this article, we will determine whether the given compounds are covalent or ionic and provide their proper names.

1. $Ba \left( NO _3\right)_2$

$Ba \left( NO _3\right)_2$ is a compound composed of barium (Ba) and nitrate (NO3). The barium ion has a +2 charge, while the nitrate ion has a -1 charge. Since the charges are balanced, this compound is ionic. The proper name of this compound is barium nitrate.

2. CO

CO is a compound composed of carbon (C) and oxygen (O). In this compound, the carbon and oxygen atoms share electrons to form a triple bond. Since the atoms share electrons, this compound is covalent. The proper name of this compound is carbon monoxide.

3. $PCl _3$

$PCl _3$ is a compound composed of phosphorus (P) and chlorine (Cl). In this compound, the phosphorus and chlorine atoms share electrons to form a covalent bond. The proper name of this compound is phosphorus trichloride.

4. KI

KI is a compound composed of potassium (K) and iodine (I). The potassium ion has a +1 charge, while the iodide ion has a -1 charge. Since the charges are balanced, this compound is ionic. The proper name of this compound is potassium iodide.

5. $CF _4$

$CF _4$ is a compound composed of carbon (C) and fluorine (F). In this compound, the carbon and fluorine atoms share electrons to form a covalent bond. The proper name of this compound is carbon tetrafluoride.

6. MgO

MgO is a compound composed of magnesium (Mg) and oxygen (O). The magnesium ion has a +2 charge, while the oxide ion has a -2 charge. Since the charges are balanced, this compound is ionic. The proper name of this compound is magnesium oxide.

7. $Cu _2 S$

$Cu _2 S$ is a compound composed of copper (Cu) and sulfur (S). The copper ion has a +1 charge, while the sulfide ion has a -2 charge. Since the charges are balanced, this compound is ionic. The proper name of this compound is copper(II) sulfide.

8. $SO _2$

$SO _2$ is a compound composed of sulfur (S) and oxygen (O). In this compound, the sulfur and oxygen atoms share electrons to form a covalent bond. The proper name of this compound is sulfur dioxide.

9. $NCl _3$

$NCl _3$ is a compound composed of nitrogen (N) and chlorine (Cl). In this compound, the nitrogen and chlorine atoms share electrons to form a covalent bond. The proper name of this compound is nitrogen trichloride.

In conclusion, the given compounds can be classified as either covalent or ionic based on the type of bond formed between the atoms. Covalent compounds are formed when atoms share electrons, while ionic compounds are formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another. The proper names of the compounds have also been provided.

Compound	Type	Proper Name
$Ba \left( NO _3\right)_2$	Ionic	Barium nitrate
CO	Covalent	Carbon monoxide
$PCl _3$	Covalent	Phosphorus trichloride
KI	Ionic	Potassium iodide
$CF _4$	Covalent	Carbon tetrafluoride
MgO	Ionic	Magnesium oxide
$Cu _2 S$	Ionic	Copper(II) sulfide
$SO _2$	Covalent	Sulfur dioxide
$NCl _3$	Covalent	Nitrogen trichloride

Atkins, P. W., & De Paula, J. (2010). Physical chemistry. Oxford University Press.
Brown, T. E., & LeMay, J. T. (2012). Chemistry: The Central Science. Pearson Education.
Petrucci, R. H., Harwood, W. S., & Herring, F. G. (2011). General chemistry: Principles and modern applications. Pearson Education.
Determine whether the following compounds are covalent or ionic and provide their proper names: Q&A

In our previous article, we determined whether the given compounds are covalent or ionic and provided their proper names. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to the classification of compounds as covalent or ionic.

Q: What is the difference between covalent and ionic compounds?

A: Covalent compounds are formed when two or more atoms share electrons to form a chemical bond, while ionic compounds are formed when one or more electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions with opposite charges.

Q: How do I determine whether a compound is covalent or ionic?

A: To determine whether a compound is covalent or ionic, you need to look at the type of bond formed between the atoms. If the atoms share electrons, the compound is covalent. If electrons are transferred from one atom to another, the compound is ionic.

Q: What are some examples of covalent compounds?

A: Some examples of covalent compounds include:

CO (carbon monoxide)
$PCl _3$ (phosphorus trichloride)
$CF _4$ (carbon tetrafluoride)
$SO _2$ (sulfur dioxide)
$NCl _3$ (nitrogen trichloride)

Q: What are some examples of ionic compounds?

A: Some examples of ionic compounds include:

$Ba \left( NO _3\right)_2$ (barium nitrate)
KI (potassium iodide)
MgO (magnesium oxide)
$Cu _2 S$ (copper(II) sulfide)

Q: Can a compound be both covalent and ionic?

A: No, a compound cannot be both covalent and ionic. A compound is either covalent or ionic, but not both.

Q: How do I write the proper name of a compound?

A: To write the proper name of a compound, you need to follow the rules of nomenclature. The rules of nomenclature vary depending on the type of compound. For ionic compounds, the name of the cation comes first, followed by the name of the anion. For covalent compounds, the name of the first atom comes first, followed by the name of the second atom.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when classifying compounds as covalent or ionic?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when classifying compounds as covalent or ionic include:

Assuming that all compounds are ionic
Assuming that all compounds are covalent
Not considering the type of bond formed between the atoms
Not following the rules of nomenclature

In conclusion, the classification of compounds as covalent or ionic is an important concept in chemistry. By understanding the difference between covalent and ionic compounds, you can determine whether a compound is covalent or ionic and provide its proper name. Remember to follow the rules of nomenclature and consider the type of bond formed between the atoms when classifying compounds.

Compound	Type	Proper Name
$Ba \left( NO _3\right)_2$	Ionic	Barium nitrate
CO	Covalent	Carbon monoxide
$PCl _3$	Covalent	Phosphorus trichloride
KI	Ionic	Potassium iodide
$CF _4$	Covalent	Carbon tetrafluoride
MgO	Ionic	Magnesium oxide
$Cu _2 S$	Ionic	Copper(II) sulfide
$SO _2$	Covalent	Sulfur dioxide
$NCl _3$	Covalent	Nitrogen trichloride

Atkins, P. W., & De Paula, J. (2010). Physical chemistry. Oxford University Press.
Brown, T. E., & LeMay, J. T. (2012). Chemistry: The Central Science. Pearson Education.
Petrucci, R. H., Harwood, W. S., & Herring, F. G. (2011). General chemistry: Principles and modern applications. Pearson Education.