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The molecule below has a simple molecular structure - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science - Question 16 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 16
The molecule below has a simple molecular structure. It has a boiling point of 36.1°C. (a) Explain why the molecule has a low boiling point: ......................... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The molecule below has a simple molecular structure - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science - Question 16 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain why the molecule has a low boiling point:
Answer
The molecule exhibits weak intermolecular forces, specifically van der Waals forces or London dispersion forces. These forces are relatively weak compared to covalent bonds. Therefore, only a small amount of energy is required to overcome these forces, resulting in a low boiling point of 36.1°C.
Step 2
Draw a 'dot and cross' diagram to show the bonding in carbon dioxide.
Answer
To represent the covalent bonds in carbon dioxide (CO₂), draw the outer shell electrons:
- Carbon has four outer electrons.
- Each oxygen atom has six outer electrons.
The diagram will consist of two shared pairs of electrons between the carbon and each oxygen atom, represented as follows:
O: O ∘: | ∘ C-
Step 3
Describe what is meant by ionic bonding:
Answer
Ionic bonding refers to the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, typically between metals and non-metals. Metals lose electrons to form positive ions, while non-metals gain electrons to form negative ions. The resulting opposite charges create an electrostatic attraction between the ions, holding them together in a compound.