Question

classifications of compounds
observe the classified compounds here:
the compound zncl₂ is considered to be a(n) __________ compound.
the compound that contains nitrogen and oxygen is considered to be a(n) __________ compound.
can an element be in multiple types of compounds? explain giving and example from above.
(answer and explanation)

Explanation:

• For the first blank: Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons from a metal to a non - metal. \(ZnCl_{2}\) is composed of \(Zn^{2 +}\) (a metal ion) and \(Cl^{-}\) (a non - metal ion), so it is an ionic compound.
• For the second blank: \(N_{2}O_{4}\) contains nitrogen (a non - metal) and oxygen (a non - metal). Covalent compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between non - metals, so \(N_{2}O_{4}\) is a covalent compound.
• For the third part: Yes, an element can be in multiple types of compounds. For example, oxygen (\(O\)) is in the ionic compound \(Na_{2}O\) (where \(Na\) donates electrons to \(O\)) and in the covalent compound \(N_{2}O_{4}\) (where \(N\) and \(O\) share electrons).

Answer:

• The compound \(ZnCl_{2}\) is considered to be a(n) ionic compound.
• The compound that contains nitrogen and oxygen (\(N_{2}O_{4}\)) is considered to be a(n) covalent compound.
• Can an element be in multiple types of compounds? Yes. For example, oxygen is in the ionic compound \(Na_{2}O\) and the covalent compound \(N_{2}O_{4}\).