Questions: One of the following pictures (Figure 1) represents NaCl and one represents MgO. Part A Which is which? (a) is NaCl and (b) is MgO (b) is NaCl and (a) is MgO Part B Which has the larger lattice energy? NaCl MgO

One of the following pictures (Figure 1) represents NaCl and one represents MgO.

Part A

Which is which?
(a) is NaCl and (b) is MgO
(b) is NaCl and (a) is MgO

Part B

Which has the larger lattice energy?
NaCl
MgO

Transcript text: One of the following pictures (Figure 1) represents NaCl and one represents MgO. Part A Which is which? (a) is $\mathrm{NaCl}_{\text {and }}(\mathrm{b}$ ) is MgO (b) is NaCl and (a) is MgO Part B Which has the larger lattice energy? NaCl MgO

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Analyze the charges of the ions in each compound

NaCl is composed of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, both with a charge of magnitude 1. MgO is composed of Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ ions, both with a charge of magnitude 2.

Step 2: Relate charge to lattice energy

Lattice energy is proportional to the product of the charges of the ions. Since the magnitude of the charge of the ions in MgO is larger, the attractive forces between them are stronger, thus leading to a greater lattice energy. The size of the ions also plays a role, but in this case, the difference in charge dominates.

Step 3: Determine which structure corresponds to which compound

Structure (a) has smaller ions, corresponding to the smaller charges in NaCl. Structure (b) has larger ions and a smaller interionic distance, suggesting stronger attraction, which corresponds to MgO.

Final Answer:

Part A: (a) is NaCl and (b) is MgO Part B: MgO

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