Why can't nitrogen dioxide be salt?

Answer 1

In chemistry, a "salt" is an ionic compound. An ionic compound is formed when there is a transfer of electrons from one element to another. Common example of ionic compounds are baking soda (NaHCO3) and table salt (NaCl).

Nitrogen dioxide cannot be referred to as a salt because it is not an ionic compound. Rather, it is a covalent compound. This means that the bonds within the compound are formed by the sharing of electrons and NOT the transfer of electrons. Instead of salt, nitrogen dioxide can be referred to as a molecule.

Answer 2

Nitrogen dioxide cannot be a salt because it is a covalent compound made up of nonmetals, nitrogen, and oxygen. Salts are formed by the combination of a metal with a nonmetal or a metal with a polyatomic ion. Since nitrogen dioxide does not contain any metal atoms, it cannot form a salt.