Which ionic compound is expected to form from combining the following pairs of elements? (d) aluminum and oxygen.

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Identify the charges of the ions formed by each element: Aluminum (Al) typically forms a cation with a charge of +3, denoted as \( \text{Al}^{3+} \). Oxygen (O) typically forms an anion with a charge of -2, denoted as \( \text{O}^{2-} \).

Determine the ratio of ions needed to balance the charges: To balance the charges between \( \text{Al}^{3+} \) and \( \text{O}^{2-} \), find the least common multiple of the charges, which is 6.

Calculate the number of each ion needed: To achieve a neutral compound, you need two \( \text{Al}^{3+} \) ions (total charge of +6) and three \( \text{O}^{2-} \) ions (total charge of -6).

Write the formula of the ionic compound: Combine the ions in the ratio determined to form the compound \( \text{Al}_2\text{O}_3 \).

Verify the neutrality of the compound: Check that the total positive charge (+6 from two \( \text{Al}^{3+} \) ions) balances the total negative charge (-6 from three \( \text{O}^{2-} \) ions), confirming the compound is neutral.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Ionic Bonding

Ionic bonding occurs when atoms transfer electrons to achieve full outer electron shells, resulting in the formation of charged ions. Typically, this happens between metals, which lose electrons and become positively charged cations, and nonmetals, which gain electrons to become negatively charged anions. The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions forms a stable ionic compound.

Aluminum Oxide Formation

When aluminum (a metal) reacts with oxygen (a nonmetal), it forms aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Aluminum has a +3 charge when it loses three electrons, while oxygen typically gains two electrons to achieve a -2 charge. To balance the charges in the compound, two aluminum ions combine with three oxide ions, resulting in the formula Al2O3, which is a common ionic compound.

Stoichiometry in Ionic Compounds

Stoichiometry involves the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions. In the context of ionic compounds, it helps determine the correct ratio of ions needed to form a neutral compound. For aluminum oxide, the stoichiometric ratio of aluminum to oxygen is 2:3, ensuring that the total positive and negative charges balance out to zero, which is essential for the stability of the ionic compound.

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(c) Would you expect salts like NaCl, which have singly charged ions, to have larger or smaller lattice energies compared to salts like CaO which are composed of doubly-charged ions?