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Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding
Chapter 8, Problem 28

Which of the following trends in lattice energy is due to differences in ionic radii: a. NaCl > RbBr > CsBr, b. BaO > KF, c. SrO > SrCl2?

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1
Identify the concept of lattice energy, which is the energy required to separate one mole of an ionic solid into its gaseous ions.
Understand that lattice energy is influenced by the charge of the ions and the distance between them, which is related to the ionic radii.
Recognize that smaller ionic radii result in stronger attractions between ions, leading to higher lattice energies.
Compare the ionic radii of the ions in each pair: NaCl vs. RbBr vs. CsBr, BaO vs. KF, and SrO vs. SrCl2.
Determine which trend in lattice energy is primarily due to differences in ionic radii by considering the size of the ions involved in each comparison.

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Key Concepts

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

Lattice Energy

Lattice energy is the energy released when gaseous ions combine to form an ionic solid. It is a measure of the strength of the forces between the ions in an ionic compound. Higher lattice energy indicates stronger ionic bonds, which typically results from smaller ionic radii and higher charges on the ions.
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Ionic Radii

Ionic radii refer to the size of ions in a crystal lattice. The size of an ion affects the distance between the centers of the ions in a lattice, influencing the lattice energy. Generally, smaller ions lead to stronger attractions and higher lattice energies due to their closer proximity in the lattice structure.
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Trends in Ionic Compounds

Trends in ionic compounds often relate to the size and charge of the ions involved. For example, as you move down a group in the periodic table, ionic radii increase, which typically decreases lattice energy. Understanding these trends helps predict the relative lattice energies of different ionic compounds based on their constituent ions.
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