MolSynapsequestion bank

MolSynapse / Question bank / Chemical Bonding / Fajans rules and ionic character

JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3cb178

$NaCl$ dissolves readily in water but $AgCl$ does not. The main reason is that

A $Cl X^{-}$ is more polarisable in $NaCl$ than in $AgCl$
B $Ag X^{+}$ carries a higher charge than $Na X^{+}$
C $AgCl$ has appreciable covalent character because $Ag X^{+}$ ( $18$ -electron core) strongly polarises $Cl X^{-}$
D $Ag X^{+}$ is much smaller than $Na X^{+}$

Answer: C

Ag X^{+}

and

Na X^{+}

both carry

+ 1

, and

Ag X^{+}

is in fact slightly larger, so charge and size do not explain the difference. The pseudo-inert gas core of

Ag X^{+}

shields poorly, giving high polarising power and covalent character. The covalent lattice is not compensated by hydration, so

AgCl

is insoluble.

Practice Chemical Bonding More on Fajans rules and ionic character

Previous questionNext question

More questions on Fajans rules and ionic character

CuCl is more covalent than NaCl although Cu+ and Na+ have similar sizes and the same charge. The reason is that NEET level
Which of the following hydrogen bonds is the strongest? NEET level
The correct order of increasing covalent character of the chlorides is JEE Main level
Which of the following chlorides has the lowest melting point? JEE Main level
The correct order of increasing covalent character of silver halides is JEE Main level
Which of the following carbonates decomposes at the lowest temperature? JEE Main level