CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Chemical bonding
Sodium chloride and magnesium oxide are both ionic compounds.
(a) Suggest, in terms of the ions present and the electrostatic attraction between them, why the ionic bond in magnesium oxide is stronger than the ionic bond in sodium chloride.
(b) Calcium fluoride, , is also an ionic compound. Suggest how the ions present in calcium fluoride account for its formula.
6 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 6 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.
Suggest means: Apply what you know to an unfamiliar situation. There may be more than one acceptable answer. Reason from the principle you have learned to the new context, and say which principle you are using.
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