Is strontium phosphide ionic or covalent?

Understand the Problem

The question is asking whether strontium phosphide forms an ionic bond or a covalent bond. To determine this, we will look at the properties of the elements involved and their typical bonding behavior.

More Information

Strontium phosphide (Sr₃P₂) is an ionic compound as it is composed of the metal strontium (Sr) and the non-metal phosphorus (P). The metal (strontium) loses electrons and becomes a cation, while the non-metal (phosphorus) gains electrons and becomes an anion.

Tips

Common mistakes include confusing ionic and covalent compounds based purely on their elements without considering the transfer of electrons, which is a hallmark of ionic bonding.

Sources

• Write the Formula for Strontium Phosphide - homework.study.com