Question

The compound AlP (aluminum phosphide) is a compound semiconductor having mixed ionic and covalent bonding. Calculate the fraction of bonding that is ionic.

Answer 1

Answer:

0.086

Explanation:

The formula for calculating the fraction of a covalent bond can be expressed as:

= exp (-0.25ΔE²)

$= exp[-0.25(E_{Al}-E_{p})^2]---(1)$

from the equation above;

$E_{Al}$ = the electronegativity of aluminum

$E_P$ = electronegativity of phosphorus

Using the data from periodic table figures;

$E_{Al}$ = 1.5

$E_P$ = 2.1

∴

fraction of the covalent = exp[-0.25(1.5 - 2.1)²]

fraction of the covalent = exp(-0.09)

fraction of the covalent = 0.914

Now, the fraction of ionic bond will be = 1 - the fraction  of covalent bond

= 1 - 0.914

∴

the fraction of bond that is ionic = 0.086