Select the single best answer. Identify the bonding in Na
SO
as ionic or covalent. ionic covalent both ionic and covalent are present
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: both ionic and covalent are present
Explanation: Sodium sulfate, represented by the formula Na₂SO₄, is a compound made up of two sodium (Na⁺) ions and one sulfate (SO₄²⁻) ion. To understand the bonding in this compound, we need to examine both types of chemical bonds it contains.
The sodium ions are positively charged and the sulfate ion is negatively charged. This creates an attraction between them known as an ionic bond. Ionic bonds typically form between metals and nonmetals. In this case, sodium is a metal and forms positive ions by losing electrons. These positively charged sodium ions are attracted to the negatively charged sulfate ion, resulting in a stable ionic structure.
Within the sulfate ion itself, the bonding is very different. The sulfate ion consists of one sulfur atom covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms. Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons. In the sulfate ion, the sulfur atom shares electrons with oxygen atoms to satisfy the octet rule and achieve stability. The bonding involves both single and partial double bonds due to resonance, but all are covalent in nature.
This dual bonding characteristic is typical of compounds that contain polyatomic ions. The polyatomic ion (in this case, SO₄²⁻) has covalent bonding within its structure, while it forms ionic bonds with other ions in the compound.
Therefore, sodium sulfate exhibits both ionic and covalent bonding. The ionic bonds occur between the sodium ions and the sulfate ion, while covalent bonds are found within the sulfate ion itself. This mixed bonding contributes to the compound’s properties, such as high solubility in water and the ability to conduct electricity when dissolved or molten.
