Question

Which of the following are neutral?

• A. KF
• B. KBr
• C. NaCl
• D. Na(NO_3)_2

Hint:

Ionic compounds generally form when there is a large difference in electronegativity between the elements involved, leading to charge separation. A neutral molecule would have a balanced charge.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To identify which compounds are neutral, we need to understand that a neutral compound is one where the cation and anion do not have any significant charge interaction that would make the compound ionic or polar.
- \( \text{KF} \): \( \text{K}^+ \) and \( \text{F}^- \) — both ions, thus ionic.
- \( \text{KBr} \): \( \text{K}^+ \) and \( \text{Br}^- \) — both ions, thus ionic.
- \( \text{NaCl} \): \( \text{Na}^+ \) and \( \text{Cl}^- \) — both ions, hence neutral (ionic compound, but stable).
- \( \text{Na(NO}_3)_2 \): Contains an ionic nature and extra negative charge from nitrate ions, thus ionic. Hence, \( \text{NaCl} \) is the neutral compound, making the correct answer \( \text{NaCl} \).