• Compounds that have a high percentage of carbon by mass are classified as organic compounds; otherwise they are considered to be inorganic compounds.

• Inorganic compounds can be molecular or ionic based on the type of bonds that hold the components (elements) together.

• Inorganic ionic compounds can be classified as acids, bases, or salts depending on their properties.

Classifying Inorganic Compounds8.1

VOCABULARY

organic compounds

inorganic compounds

acids

bases

salts

aqueous

acidity

pH scale

Classifying Inorganic Compounds

• Salts are substances that release positive ions and

negative ions other than H+ and OH- in solution.

• For example sodium chloride, NaCl

• Acids are substances that release H+ ions in solution;

bases are substances that release OH- ions in solution.

• Acidity is the measure of the relative amounts of H+

and OH- in a solution and is often measured on a

pH scale.

8.1

VOCABULARY

organic compounds

inorganic compounds

acids

bases

salts

aqueous

acidity

pH scale

Another Look at Bonding—Lewis Diagrams8.2

VOCABULARY

Lewis diagram

bonding pair

electron dot diagram

octet rule

covalent chemical bond

lone electron pairs

• Lewis diagrams only show valence

electrons, which are typically

represented by dots around the

element’s symbol.

• Wherever possible, an element's

valence electrons are arranged as

single electrons before bonding occurs.

• Single electrons from one element pair

with single electrons from other elements

to form bonding pairs of electrons.

• Atoms of elements tend to complete their

valence shells similar to the nearest noble

gas. This is known as the octet rule. noble gas

Organic Compounds8.3

VOCABULARY

organic chemistry

structural formulas

hydrocarbons

• Organic chemistry is the chemistry of carbon

compounds.

• Organic molecules contain carbon, hydrogen, and

sometimes oxygen, nitrogen, and other non-metals,

and they have covalent bonds.

• Simplified Lewis diagrams or structural formulas can

be drawn to help visualize organic molecules.

Organic Compounds8.3

VOCABULARY

organic chemistry

structural formulas

hydrocarbons

• Organic compounds are so numerous that an

elaborate classification system is necessary. • Families of organic compounds include hydrocarbons,

alcohols, and ethers.

hydrocarbon

alcohol ether

Classifying Chemical Compounds

• All chemical compounds are either organic

or inorganic.• Compounds that have a high percentage

of carbon by mass are classified as

organic compounds; otherwise they are

considered to be inorganic compounds.

• Inorganic compounds can be molecular or ionic.• They can also be classified as acids, bases, or salts depending on

their properties.

8CHAPTER

Classifying Chemical Compounds

• Lewis diagrams (electron dot) illustrate how molecular compounds

form as a result of bonding pairs of electrons.

• Lewis diagrams only show valence electrons.

• Atoms of elements have a tendency to achieve complete valence

shells similar to their nearest noble gas. This is the octet rule.

8CHAPTER

Classifying Chemical Compounds

• Organic compounds are molecular and contain carbon and hydrogen.

• They may also contain oxygen, nitrogen, and other non-metals.

• Families of organic compounds include hydrocarbons, alcohols, and

ethers.

8CHAPTER

Classifying Chemical Compounds

Activity

Using the information in Tables 1 and 2 on page 203, classify each

compound below as an acid, base, or salt based on its properties:

1. HCl: reacts with metals; turns litmus paper red

2. KBr: conducts electric current; chemical indicators do not change colour

3. NH3: turns methyl red indicator yellow

4. NaNO3: does not react with metals; conducts electric current;

phenolphthalein indicator remains colourless

5. HNO3: turns indigo carmine from yellow to blue

8CHAPTER

Classifying Chemical Compounds8

Key Ideas

• All chemical compounds are either organic or inorganic.

• Inorganic compounds can be molecular or ionic (acids, bases,

or salts).

• Lewis diagrams (electron dot) can explain how molecular

compounds form as a result of bonding pairs of electrons.

• Organic compounds are molecular and contain carbon and

hydrogen.

CHAPTER