Question

Calculate %ic of the interatomic bonds for the intermetallic compound al6mn. on the basis of this result, what type of interatomic bond would you expect to be found in this compound?

Answer 1

Answer : % ionic character is 0.20%

              Bonding between the two metals will be purely metallic.

Explanation: For the calculation of % ionic character, we use the formula

$\% \text{ ionic character}= [1-e^{\frac{-(X_A-X_B)^2)}{4}}]\times(100\%)$

where $X_A$ & $X_B$ are the Pauling's electronegativities.

The table attached has the values of electronegativities, by taking the values of Al and Mn from there,

$X_{Al}=1.61$

$X_{Mn}=1.55$

Putting the values in the electronegativity formula, we get

$\% \text{ ionic character}= [1-e^{\frac{-(1.61-1.55)^2)}{4}}]\times(100\%)$

                                               = 0.20%

Now, there are 3 types of inter atomic bonding

1) Ionic Bonding: It refers to the chemical bond in which there is complete transfer of valence electrons between atoms

2) Covalent Bonding: It refers to the chemical bond involving the sharing of electron pairs between 2 atoms.

3) Metallic Bonding: It refers to the chemical bond in which there is an electrostatic force between the positively charged metal ions and delocalised electrons.

In $Al_6Mn$ compound, the % ionic character is minimal that is $\sim$0.20% and there are two metal ions present, therefore this compound will have metallic bonding.