WAEC - Chemistry (1994 - No. 6)

Which of the following is not a property of magnesium oxide?
High melting point
Dissolution in polar solvents
Presence of ionic bonds
Possession of crystal lattice
Low binding energy

Explanation

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is an ionic compound that exhibits the following properties:

A. High melting point: MgO has a high melting point (2800°C) due to the strong ionic bonds between magnesium and oxygen ions.

B. Dissolution in polar solvents: MgO is soluble in polar solvents like water, which is due to the ability of water molecules to interact with the ions.

C. Presence of ionic bonds: MgO is an ionic compound, meaning it is held together by ionic bonds between magnesium cations (Mg²⁺) and oxygen anions (O²⁻).

D. Possession of crystal lattice: MgO has a crystal lattice structure, which is typical of ionic compounds.

E. Low binding energy: MgO has a high binding energy due to the strong ionic bonds between the magnesium and oxygen ions. This high binding energy is responsible for its high melting point. Hence, option E is the correct answer because MgO does not have a low binding energy.

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