Solution
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Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a chemical compound that consists of one nitrogen atom and two oxygen atoms. To determine whether NO2 is ionic or covalent, we need to consider the types of atoms involved and the nature of the bond between them.
Step 1: Understand the Types of Chemical Bonds
Step 1: Understand the Types of Chemical Bonds
Step 1: Understand the Types of Chemical Bonds
There are two primary types of chemical bonds: ionic and covalent. Ionic bonds occur between metals and nonmetals and involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another. Covalent bonds, on the other hand, occur between nonmetals and involve the sharing of electrons between atoms.
Step 2: Identify the Elements in NO2
Nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) are both nonmetals. Nonmetals tend to share electrons with each other rather than transfer electrons, as metals do with nonmetals.
Step 3: Examine the Electronegativity Difference
The difference in electronegativity between the atoms can help determine the type of bond. A large difference in electronegativity usually indicates an ionic bond, while a smaller difference indicates a covalent bond. The electronegativity of nitrogen is approximately 3.04, and that of oxygen is about 3.44. The difference (0.40) is not large enough to be considered ionic.
Step 4: Consider the Lewis Structure and Molecular Geometry
Drawing the Lewis structure of NO2 can provide insight into the bonding. NO2 has an uneven number of valence electrons, which means it has an unpaired electron and is a radical. The structure shows that the nitrogen atom is sharing electrons with each oxygen atom, forming two covalent bonds.
Step 5: Determine the Type of Bonding
Considering the information from the previous steps, we can conclude that the bonds within NO2 are covalent because the compound is composed of nonmetals, the difference in electronegativity is relatively small, and the Lewis structure shows shared electron pairs.
In summary, NO2 is a molecule with covalent bonds. The bonding within the molecule involves the sharing of electrons between the nitrogen and oxygen atoms, which is characteristic of covalent compounds.
There are two primary types of chemical bonds: ionic and covalent. Ionic bonds occur between metals and nonmetals and involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another. Covalent bonds, on the other hand, occur between nonmetals and involve the sharing of electrons between atoms.
Step 2: Identify the Elements in NO2
Nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) are both nonmetals. Nonmetals tend to share electrons with each other rather than transfer electrons, as metals do with nonmetals.
Step 3: Examine the Electronegativity Difference
The difference in electronegativity between the atoms can help determine the type of bond. A large difference in electronegativity usually indicates an ionic bond, while a smaller difference indicates a covalent bond. The electronegativity of nitrogen is approximately 3.04, and that of oxygen is about 3.44. The difference (0.40) is not large enough to be considered ionic.
Step 4: Consider the Lewis Structure and Molecular Geometry
Drawing the Lewis structure of NO2 can provide insight into the bonding. NO2 has an uneven number of valence electrons, which means it has an unpaired electron and is a radical. The structure shows that the nitrogen atom is sharing electrons with each oxygen atom, forming two covalent bonds.
Step 5: Determine the Type of Bonding
Considering the information from the previous steps, we can conclude that the bonds within NO2 are covalent because the compound is composed of nonmetals, the difference in electronegativity is relatively small, and the Lewis structure shows shared electron pairs.
In summary, NO2 is a molecule with covalent bonds. The bonding within the molecule involves the sharing of electrons between the nitrogen and oxygen atoms, which is characteristic of covalent compounds.
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