Which compound(s) below would be expected to have a high melting point(s) as a solid?
I. Br₂
II. NaCl
III. MgSO₄

Question

Which compound(s) below would be expected to have a high melting point(s) as a solid? I. Br₂ II. NaCl III. MgSO₄

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both II (NaCl) and III (MgSO4) are ionic compounds, which form crystalline lattices held together by strong electrostatic attractions between oppositely charged ions. The strength of the ionic bond is determined by the charges of the ions and their sizes, with smaller ions and larger charges resulting in stronger bonds. Thus, NaCl (with two charges and relatively small ions) and MgSO4 (with two charges and larger ions compared to NaCl) have high melting points as solids. In contrast, compound I (BrSb12) is a covalent compound with weak van der Waals interactions between molecules and therefore would not be expected to have a high melting point as a solid.

Which Compound(s) Below Would Be Expected to Have a High