Why is calcium fluoride, CaF2, a high melting point crystalline solid, while stannic chloride, SnCl4, is a volatile liquid?
A. CaF2 is a small, linear, nonpolar molecule, while SnCl4 is a huge tetrahedral structure. Therefore, the bonds in calcium fluoride tend to give it a higher melting point temperature.
B. Ionic compounds formed by elements on opposite sides of the periodic table, like CaF2, tend to have higher melting points than more covalently bonded structures, like SnCl4.
C. Actually, we would predict these results to be the opposite. Since each metal is combined with a group 17 halogen, the heavier metal (tin) combination should have the higher melting point.
D. There is no theory to predict the physical property of melting point. Melting point temperatures are empirically determined.
Answer: B
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