Chapter 6: Problem 35
Label the following species as molecules or ions. (a) \(\mathrm{NO}_{3}^{-}\) (b) \(\mathrm{NH}_{4}^{+}\) (c) \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}\) (d) \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CO}_{2}^{-}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
(a) Ion, (b) Ion, (c) Molecule, (d) Ion.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Charge
Look at each given species to determine if they have a net electric charge. If the species has a positive or negative charge, it is an ion. Otherwise, it is a molecule.
02
Analyze Species (a)
The species (a) is \( \mathrm{NO}_{3}^{-} \). It has a negative charge (\(-1\)), indicating it is an ion. Specifically, it is called a nitrate ion.
03
Analyze Species (b)
The species (b) is \( \mathrm{NH}_{4}^{+} \). It has a positive charge (\(+1\)), indicating it is an ion. Specifically, it is called an ammonium ion.
04
Analyze Species (c)
The species (c) is \( \mathrm{NO}_{2} \). It has no charge indicated, meaning it is a neutral molecule. Therefore, it is classified simply as nitrogen dioxide, a molecular compound.
05
Analyze Species (d)
The species (d) is \( \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CO}_{2}^{-} \). It has a negative charge (\(-1\)), indicating it is an ion. Specifically, it's called an acetate ion.
06
Conclude the Nature of Each Species
Summary: (a) \( \mathrm{NO}_{3}^{-} \) is an ion, (b) \( \mathrm{NH}_{4}^{+} \) is an ion, (c) \( \mathrm{NO}_{2} \) is a molecule, and (d) \( \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CO}_{2}^{-} \) is an ion.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Charge Identification
When trying to identify whether a species is a molecule or an ion, the first step is to look for an electric charge. An ion is defined as a particle that has an overall positive or negative charge due to the loss or gain of electrons. In contrast, a molecule is a neutral particle made up of two or more atoms bonded together without a net charge.
To determine the charge:
To determine the charge:
- Check if a species has a superscripted plus ( (+) ) or minus ( (-) ) symbol. This indicates it's an ion.
- If no charge is present, the species is a molecule.
Nitrate Ion
The nitrate ion is represented by the chemical formula
NO_3^-
. It's one of the most commonly encountered polyatomic ions in chemistry. The ion carries a
(-1)
net charge, which is due to the presence of one more electron than protons.
Here are some characteristics of nitrate ions:
Here are some characteristics of nitrate ions:
- Consists of one nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms.
- The additional electron gives it a negative charge, classifying it as an ion.
- Widely found in fertilizers and can impact water quality, promoting plant growth.
Ammonium Ion
The ammonium ion is expressed as
NH_4^+
. Known for its role in many biological processes and industries, it exhibits a positive charge (
+1
), making it a cation.
Here are some traits and roles of the ammonium ion:
Here are some traits and roles of the ammonium ion:
- Formed when an ammonia molecule ( NH_3 ) gains a hydrogen ion.
- Commonly found in fertilizers, it supplies plants with nitrogen.
- Used in water treatment processes to reduce nitrogen oxides.
Acetate Ion
The acetate ion has the chemical formula
CH_3CO_2^-
, also known as
C_2H_3O_2^-
. It is a common organic ion with a charge of
(-1)
, and it's a primary component in many biochemical and industrial processes.
Important points about the acetate ion include:
Important points about the acetate ion include:
- Derived from acetic acid ( CH_3COOH ) by deprotonation.
- Widely used in the production of synthetic polymers and as a food preservative.
- Plays a key role in the body's metabolism, as part of the Krebs cycle.