Question

Based on your understanding of how bond types influence a material’s properties, identify each of the following compounds as being made of ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds.
ANSWER
Steel: Metalic
Propane: Covalent
Calcium chloride: ionic
Water: Covalent
Edge 2021

Answer 1

Answer: The given compounds are identified as being made of ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds:

• Steel - Metallic bonds
• Propane - Covalent bonds
• Calcium chloride - Ionic bonds
• Water - Covalent bonds

Explanation:

A bond formed by transfer of electrons from one atom to another is called an ionic bond. An ionic bond is formed between a metal atom and a non-metal atom.

A bond formed by transfer of electrons from one atom to another is called a covalent bond. A covalent bond is formed between two or more non-metal atoms only.

Steel is actually an alloy of carbon and iron where there is less than 2% carbon, 1% manganese and small amounts of silicon, phosphorus, oxygen and sulphur are present.

When atoms of metals are held together then bond formed between these atoms is called metallic bond.

Hence, steel is made of metallic bond.

Chemical formula of propane is $CH_{3}CH_{2}CH_{3}$ as there are only non-metal atoms are present. So, sharing of electrons takes place in such atoms due to which covalent bonding will be there.

Hence, propane is made up of covalent bonds.  

Calcium chloride contains a metal and a non-metal atom. This means that electrons are being transferred from calcium atom to the chlorine atom. Hence, bond present in calcium chloride is ionic bond.

Water has chemical formula $H_{2}O$. Since, non-metal atoms are present there so sharing of electrons takes place between hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Hence, covalent bond is present in water.

Thus, we can conclude that given compounds are identified as being made of ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds:

• Steel - Metallic bonds
• Propane - Covalent bonds
• Calcium chloride - Ionic bonds
• Water - Covalent bonds