Visualizing Ionic and Covalent Compounds

Unit 4: Compounds and Reactions Reading: Chapter 7

Working Mode: Pairs Guided Instructional Activity 4-4

Learning Objectives: Relate the kind of compound, its formula and name to a visualization of its microscopic structure.

Keywords: ionic compound, molecular compound, chemical formula, representative unit, formula unit, molecule.

Instructions: Use the names of the following compounds to determine the type and formula of each compound. Finally, sketch an atomic level diagram of each compound. Assume that all ionic compounds are solids and that molecular compounds are gases in their standard states.

aluminum hydroxide

Student 1: State if the compound is ionic or molecular. Explain your answer.

Student 2: Write the chemical formula of the compound. Determine if the

compound’s representative unit is a formula unit or molecule.

Student 1: Sketch an atomic level diagram of the compound in the box below.

Include four formula units or molecules. Use the atom key provided at

the left.

Al =

H =

O =

dinitrogen monoxide

Student 2: State if the compound is ionic or molecular. Explain your answer.

Student 1: Write the chemical formula of the compound. Determine if the

compound’s representative unit is a formula unit or molecule.

Student 2: Sketch an atomic level diagram of the compound in the box below.

Include four formula units or molecules. Use the atom key provided at

the left.

O =

N =

copper (II) carbonate

Student 1: State if the compound is ionic or molecular. Explain your answer.

Student 2: Write the chemical formula of the compound. Determine if the

compound’s representative unit is a formula unit or molecule.

Student 1: Sketch an atomic level diagram of the compound in the box below.

Include four formula units or molecules. Use the atom key provided at

the left.

Cu =

C =

O =

zinc oxide

Student 2: State if the compound is ionic or molecular. Explain your answer.

Student 1: Write the chemical formula of the compound. Determine if the

compound’s representative unit is a formula unit or molecule.

Student 2: Sketch an atomic level diagram of the compound in the box below.

Include four formula units or molecules. Use the atom key provided at

the left.

O =

Zn =

lead (IV) chloride

Student 1: State if the compound is ionic or molecular. Explain your answer.

Student 2: Write the chemical formula of the compound. Determine if the

compound’s representative unit is a formula unit or molecule.

Student 1: Sketch an atomic level diagram of the compound in the box below.

Include four formula units or molecules. Use the atom key provided at

the left.

Cl =

Pb =

chlorine dioxide

Student 2: State if the compound is ionic or molecular. Explain your answer.

Student 1: Write the chemical formula of the compound. Determine if the

compound’s representative unit is a formula unit or molecule.

Student 2: Sketch an atomic level diagram of the compound in the box below.

Include four formula units or molecules. Use the atom key provided at

the left.

Cl =

O =