Chapter 7, Problem 60A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The meaning of term ‘electrically neutral’ for ionic compounds needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

Atoms lose or gain electrons to form ions. These ions formed are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction to form ionic compound. The ionic compounds are mostly having ions in its lattice.

Answer to Problem 60A

In ionic compounds, electrically neutral indicates that loss in electrons will be equal to gain in electrons.

Explanation of Solution

Elements tend to lose or gain electrons to attain a stable octet configuration. When a metal transfers electron to a non-metal, it attains octet configuration. In all the cases, the number of protons remains the same. Mostly metals belonging to groups 1-3 lose electrons while non-metal elements belonging to group 5 -7 gains electrons as there are vacancy or half-filled energy shells. During this course of transfer of electrons, metals forms positively charged ions and non-metals form negatively charged ions. These are charged ions which may have less or more electrons.

When such metal and non-metal elements combine, there is exchange of ions between them to get an octet structure. The forces of attraction or electrostatic forces between them results in bond. The charges between these ions are nullified or neutralized as there will be a balance of same number of protons and electrons. In other words, the number of negatively charged and number of positively charged ions are taken into account to balance the charges.

Conclusion

In ionic compounds, the term electrically neutral indicates that number of electrons lost is equal to the number of electrons gained.