I am currently in a chemistry class at university and I have a lecturer that is not clear on numerous things and despite my constant requests for explanation, she can't seem to make it certain.
For the record, this is not for homework or a test.
I just finished an exam and was marked wrong on the following question:
"Compounds can be either homo-atomic or heteroatomic" true or false?
I answered true because as far as our texts books are concerned (and anything else I have read), the following is a definition is a compound...
"Any two or more elements that are chemically bonded to act as one"
The reason I answered that is as follows....
H2O has two different elements, therefore it is heteroatomic (hetero - two or more element)
N2 or two atoms of nitrogen bonded have one elements but two if them. (homo - one element)
What is the difference between homo-atomic and heteroatomic?
I may need to slightly more detailed questions depending on answers, hence why I have put 500 points.
It's been 8 years since I've payed attention at school so please bare with me.
Thanks in advance for any help as I am totally lost :-p
Cheers
-OBCT
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Probably the term compound is the tricky factor in the question. chemical compound is a substance made of two or more different chemically bonded chemical elements. That suggests that it is hetero atomic. Molecules of elements are made of same kind of atoms and are therefore homo atomic. I hope this is clear enough.
A compound is a combination of two or more different elements. Hence, hetero-atomic.
Per your example (H20 vs N2)
--> ""Compounds can be either homo-atomic or heteroatomic" true or false?"
The answer appears to be False, while your reasoning is correct, it looks like you answered wrong.
--> H2O, H2SO4, etc are all heteroatomic
--> H2, N2, O2, etc are all homoatomic ... and all diatomic elements.
Ok, so if all 'compounds' are hetroatomic, where does homoatomic/diatomic fit into the model we're being taught in that pure substances are either compounds or elements?
Does this mean there is another pure substance that is nor an element or compound?
I'd just like to be 100% clear before I accept defeat. :-p
take a look at: http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.u
Over here in the U.S. early chem classes (1st year, organic) my prof's never used the term "homoatomic" or "heteroatomic" -- and I easily see.
After googling: http://www.ebi.ac.uk/chebi
"dihydrogen (CHEBI:18276) is a homoatomic molecules (CHEBI:25362)
dinitrogen (CHEBI:17997) is a homoatomic molecules (CHEBI:25362)
dioxygen (CHEBI:15379) is a homoatomic molecules (CHEBI:25362)
ozone (CHEBI:25812) is a homoatomic molecules (CHEBI:25362)"
I would think with above definition -- only elements can be homoatomic ...
http://www.ebi.ac.uk/chebi
A heteroatomic molecular entity is a molecular entity consisting of two or more chemical elements.
heteroatomic molecular entities (CHEBI:37577) is a polyatomic entities (CHEBI:36357)
salts (CHEBI:24866) is a heteroatomic molecular entities (CHEBI:37577)
addition compounds (CHEBI:35504) is a heteroatomic molecular entities (CHEBI:37577)
coordination entities (CHEBI:33240) is a heteroatomic molecular entities (CHEBI:37577)
hydrides (CHEBI:33692) is a heteroatomic molecular entities (CHEBI:37577)
hydroxides (CHEBI:24651) is a heteroatomic molecular entities (CHEBI:37577)
oxides (CHEBI:25741) is a heteroatomic molecular entities (CHEBI:37577)
halides (CHEBI:37578) is a heteroatomic molecular entities (CHEBI:37577)
== By definition COMPOUND = 2 or more **DIFFERENT** ELEMENTS
--> Hence 2 or more different atoms
--> Hence a compound may only be heteroatomic
Regarding elements:
Elements may be molecules (diatomic, S8, etc) -- but these are NOT compounds, as they only have the SAME atom (8 sulfer atoms) (2 Hydrogen atoms), etc.
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by: neopolitanPosted on 2007-08-17 at 05:06:52ID: 19716053
As far as I know, your interpretation is correct.
http://www.ebi.ac.uk/chebi
http://www.ebi.ac.uk/chebi