To determine which of the given compounds are ionic, we need to identify some key characteristics of ionic compounds. Ionic compounds typically consist of a metal and a non-metal. In an ionic bond, electrons are transferred from the metal to the non-metal, resulting in the formation of oppositely charged ions that are held together by electrostatic forces.
Let's analyze each compound:
1. CH₂:
- Carbon (C) and Hydrogen (H) both are non-metals.
- The bonding between carbon and hydrogen is covalent.
- Hence, CH₂ is not an ionic compound.
2. ICl (Iodine Chloride):
- Iodine (I) and Chlorine (Cl) both are non-metals.
- The bonding between iodine and chlorine is covalent.
- Hence, ICl is not an ionic compound.
3. SrO (Strontium Oxide):
- Strontium (Sr) is a metal, and Oxygen (O) is a non-metal.
- The bonding between strontium and oxygen is ionic as electrons are transferred from strontium to oxygen.
- Hence, SrO is an ionic compound.
4. NH₃ (Ammonia):
- Nitrogen (N) and Hydrogen (H) both are non-metals.
- The bonding between nitrogen and hydrogen is covalent.
- Hence, NH₃ is not an ionic compound.
5. NH₄Cl (Ammonium Chloride):
- This compound is unique because it contains the ammonium ion (NH₄⁺) and the chloride ion (Cl⁻).
- Even though it does not contain any metal, the overall bonding between NH₄⁺ and Cl⁻ ions is ionic in nature.
- Hence, NH₄Cl is an ionic compound.
6. LiI (Lithium Iodide):
- Lithium (Li) is a metal, and Iodine (I) is a non-metal.
- The bonding between lithium and iodine is ionic as electrons are transferred from lithium to iodine.
- Hence, LiI is an ionic compound.
Based on the analysis above, the ionic compounds among the given list are:
- SrO
- NH₄Cl
- LiI
Thus, the ionic compounds are SrO, NH₄Cl, and LiI.
