Question

An element$L$ consists of molecules.

(i) What type of bonding is present in the particles that make up $L$?

(ii) When $L$ is heated with iron metal, it forms a compound$FeL.$ What chemical term would you use to describe the change undergone by $L$?

Answer 1

Part 1: Type of bonding

• Since an element L consists of molecules, it means L consists of covalent bonds.

Covalent bonding: Covalent bonds are those bonds that are formed by mutual sharing of electrons between the atoms have similar electronegativities or have small differences in electronegativity.

Part 2: Chemical term would use to describe the change undergone by $L$:

Heating of iron with L: $\underset{}{\mathrm{Fe}}+\mathrm{L}\stackrel{\mathrm{Heat}}{\to }\underset{}{\mathrm{FeL}}$

• On heating, Fe undergoes oxidation and loses two-electron as follows :
• $\underset{\mathrm{Iron}}{\mathrm{Fe}}⟶\underset{\mathrm{Iron}\mathrm{ion}}{{\mathrm{Fe}}^{2+}}+2{\mathrm{e}}^{-}$
• The oxidation state of $Fe$ changes from $0to+2.$ by loss of electrons. Hence, It undergoes oxidation.
• Now, these two electrons are taken up by L and it undergoes reduction.
• $\underset{}{L}+2{\mathrm{e}}^{-}⟶\underset{}{L^{2-}}$
• Hence, the reduction term would use to describe the change undergone by $L$ is the reduction reaction.