Classify each of the substances as an atomic element, molecular element, molecular compound, or ionic compound. Provide one sentence explanation for each. a. fluorine b. N2 O c. silver d. K2 O e. Fe2 O3 g

Answer and Explanation:

a. fluorine ⇒ atomic element

Fluorine (F) is a chemical element because it is a pure substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances.

b. N₂O ⇒ molecular compound

We can see that N₂O (nitrous oxide) is a molecule composed by two different atomic elements: nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O). Thus, it is a molecular compound.

c. silver ⇒ atomic element

Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag. It is a pure substance which cannot be decomposed into simpler substances.

d. K₂O ⇒ ionic compound

Potassium oxide (K₂O) is composed by a metallic element (potassium, K) and a non-metallic element (O). Thus, there is a difference in the electronegativity of the chemical elements, so the substance can dissociate into ions. In consequence, it is an ionic compound.

e. Fe₂O₃ ⇒ molecular compound (with ionic character)

Iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃) is composed by iron element (Fe), which is a metal, and oxygen element (O), which is a non-metal. Since it is a Metal- Non-Metal combination, it would be an ionic compound. The difference in electronegativity between Fe and O is not high (<2.0) in comparison with other ionic compounds, so Fe₂O₃ is considered as a polar covalent compound (it is between an ionic compound and a molecular compound).

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