Chapter 18.2, Problem 9R

To determine

The type of bonding in $\text{CaO}$ and SO₂.

Answer to Problem 9R

The bonding in $\text{CaO}$ is ionic and ${\text{SO}}_{\text{2}}$ is covalent.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

The compounds are $\text{CaO}$ and ${\text{SO}}_{\text{2}}$ .

Calculation:

The ionic bonds are formed by gaining or losing of electrons. Covalent bonds are formed by sharing of electrons between atoms.

Bonding in $\text{CaO}$ is shown below:

Calcium is a metal and it belongs to the group 2. Oxygen is a nonmetal and belongs to the group 16. The type of bond formed between a metal and nonmetal is ionic bond.

The atomic number of calcium is 20 and the electronic configuration is 2.8.8.2.

Similarly, atomic number of oxygen is 8 and the electronic configuration is 2.6. So, calcium loses its outermost electrons and oxygen gains and thus forms ionic bond.

Bonding in SO₂ is given as follows:

Sulphur and oxygen both are nonmetals. The bond is formed by the two nonmetal is called as the covalent bond.

The atomic number of sulphur is 16 and the electronic configuration is 2.8.6.

The atomic number of oxygen is 8 and the electronic configuration is 2.6.

Sulphur and oxygen both shares the electron and form the covalent bond.

Conclusion:

Hence, bonding in $\text{CaO}$ is ionic and ${\text{SO}}_{\text{2}}$ is covalent.