Distinguish bonding models

Supplied materials

• All measurements and observations below are supplied classroom examples. They are not data from actual learners or a claim about a particular real site.
• Paper or a browser document for a labeled drawing, table or explanation.
• Worked problem inputs: A diagram has positive and negative ions arranged in a lattice. Compare its bonding with a molecule sharing electron density.
• Assessment case 1: A lattice has positive and negative ions attracting electrostatically. What explains its bonding model? Which inference or prediction is best supported?
• Assessment case 2: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Two atoms share electron density.
• Assessment case 3: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Mobile delocalized electrons within metal.
• Assessment case 4: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Separate water molecules attract.
• Assessment case 5: Which scientific label fits the specifically described step or feature? Supplied case: Ion lattice held by electrostatic attraction.
• Assessment case 6: Water molecules remain intact while attractions between molecules change during melting. What distinction fits? Which inference or prediction is best supported?

Learn the idea

Ionic models involve electrostatic attraction among ions; covalent bonds involve shared electron density. Metals have delocalized electrons. Models simplify quantum behavior rather than showing electrons as tiny fixed tracks.

Ionic means attraction between oppositely charged ions. Covalent means atoms share electron density. Metallic means delocalized electrons bind metal structure. Intermolecular means attraction between separate molecular particles.

For the supplied mechanism problem, A diagram has positive and negative ions arranged in a lattice. Compare its bonding with a molecule sharing electron density. The lattice is modeled with ionic electrostatic attraction. Shared electron density within the molecule is covalent bonding. Both descriptions concern interactions, not arbitrary labels for solid versus liquid.

1. Read the supplied problem and mark the structures, processes or quantities named: A diagram has positive and negative ions arranged in a lattice. Compare its bonding with a molecule sharing electron density.
2. Draw the relevant boundary, pathway or comparison and label it using the scientific ideas above.
3. Write a causal explanation or calculation, showing how each observation supports the result.
4. Compare your reasoning with the worked solution; name a condition that would change or limit the inference.

Check your reasoning

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Take it further

New task: contrast an ionic lattice with discrete covalent molecules. Expected: oppositely charged ions attract in the lattice; electron density is shared within the molecules; do not equate every solid with ionic bonding.

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