Question

Classify each of the following solids as ionic, metallic, molecular, network (covalent) or amorphous.
a) Tetra phosphorus decoxide $({P}_{4}{O}_{10})$
b) Ammonium phosphate $({(N{H}_{4})}_{3}P{O}_{4})$
c) $SiC$
d) ${I}_{2}$
e) ${P}_{4}$
f) Plastic
g) Graphite
h) Brass
i) $Rb$
j) $LiBr$
k) $Si$

Answer 1

Hint: Any element or a compound can be classified as either a crystalline solid or an amorphous solid. This classification helps to identify what type of a bond is present among the atoms or what is the structure of the substance.

Complete step by step answer:
1) Ionic solids are the solids which are composed of oppositely charged ions. They consist of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions.
2) Metallic solids are solids which are composed of metal atoms and are held together by metallic bonds.
3) Molecular solids are solids which are essentially collections of molecules. They are held together by intermolecular forces (IMFs).
4) Network or covalent solids are a chemical compound in which there are no individual molecules. The atoms are bonded by covalent bonds in a continuous network which extends throughout the metal.
5) Amorphous solids are the solids which are non-crystalline and in which the atoms and molecules are not organized in a definite pattern.

Let us now classify the given solids.
a) Tetra phosphorus decoxide $({P}_{4}{O}_{10})$: It is a molecular solid as it contains 4 $P{O}_{4}$ molecules interconnected with each other through the oxygen atoms.
b) Ammonium phosphate $({(N{H}_{4})}_{3}P{O}_{4})$: It is an ionic solid with cation $N{H}_{4}^{+}$ and anion $P{O}_{4}^{3-}$.
c) $SiC$: It is a covalent solid. The bond between carbon and silicon is covalent.
d) ${I}_{2}$: It is a molecular solid as the molecule consists of two iodine atoms.
e) ${P}_{4}$: It is a molecular solid as there is a strong covalent bond present between the phosphorus atoms.
f) Plastic: It is a molecular solid as thousands of different types of molecules are bonded together and are held together by the strong intermolecular forces.
g) Graphite: It is a covalent solid as it is composed of only carbon atoms which have covalent bonds with each other.
h) Brass: It is a metallic solid which has its constituent as metals.
i) $Rb$: It is a metallic solid as it lies in the periodic table in the group 1 which contains the most metallic elements.
j) $LiBr$: It is an ionic solid with cation as ${Li}^{+}$ and anion as ${Br}^{-}$.
k) $Si$: It is a covalent solid. It forms covalent bonds with other elements.

Note: There are many other common materials that comprise different substances packet together. For example, a typical rock is made up of several different minerals and thus does not have a specific composition.