Question

Which of the following statements is true regarding an ionic bond in FeS?

The ionic radius of an iron ion is equal to its atomic radius.

Breaking an ionic bond between Fe2+ and S2- releases energy.

Iron and sulfur ions bond by electrostatic attraction.

Iron atoms gain electrons and sulfur atoms lose electrons.

none

Answer 1

The ionic radii of atoms are those which have a difference in electrons, so obviously they won't be the same as atomic radii.

Breaking bonds always requires energy (activation energy) so the second statement isn't true either.

Ionic bonds occur by transfer of electrons, so one particle is positively charged, the other negatively. So iron and sulfur, with an ionic bond, are attracted to each other electrostatically.

Iron is less electronegative than sulfur and is a metal, which means it likes giving electrons away more than it does taking them. Sulfur, on the other hand, is very electronegative (right under oxygen, one of the best oxidizers in the universe) so it likes accepting electrons. So the fourth statement can't be right either.

The only statement which is true is the third one! :D

Answer 2

Thank you very much, you explanation helped me solve the other one just like it as well ^^

Answer 3

You're welcome :)