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Certain compounds won't form because the constituent atoms won't bond with each other to form it. The reasons for this basically fall into two groups. One is that the charges are not balanced. Table salt is sodium chloride, or NaCl, and we don't see Na2Cl or NaCl2 because the sodium has a +1 electronegativity, and chlorine has a -1 electronegativity. This means for charges to balance, they must combine one-to-one, two-to-two or the like. Sodium and chlorine basically only hook up one way. The other has to do with something a bit less obvious, but not too tough, and we see it here. The "final energy state" of NaCl is something the molecule is "happy" with. We don't see Na2Cl2 or the like. The atoms "decide" to hook up in a one-to-one ratio, and only one on one. Not two on two or something else, because the molecule moves to a lower energy state, and a more stable one, by combining in just that single way. One Na and one Cl yields one Na+ and one Cl- to make one salt molecule. The two atoms get together, and chlorine borrows sodium's lone valence electron making two ions, which are (ionically) bonded together. This latter "variable" that determines what will and will not combine can become extremely complex, particularly as we climb up through the elements in the Periodic Table. An example of an extension of the latter idea is the oxides of iron, which are all iron and oxygen (naturally). The conditions under which the oxide forms determine which ratio of the several possibilities will occur. (Iron has several electronegativities from 1 to 6.) This makes for interesting possibilities. And it's all about whether there is enough energy to form the compound, and to what energy level it can go to by "hooking up" to form that compound.
What else can I help you with?
Can a compound be a single atom of gold?
A compound can contain a single atom of gold, but a single atom of gold alone, by itself, cannot be a compound.
When an atom bonds the atom joins a 2nd atom to become a what?
a compound.
Is a hydrogen an element compound or mixture?
hydrogen is an element because it cant be broken into its atoms easily..
What is the maximum number of atoms that a hydrogen atom can bond with in an organic compound?
A hydrogen atom can bond with up to one other atom in an organic compound.
Are mercury atom joined to an oxygen atom a mixture compound or element?
It isn't a element, as an element is one atom. It would be a compound if the elements chemically combined, but if they didn't, its a misture
Is an atom smaller than a compound?
An atom is smaller than a compound because if an electron fits in an atom, and an atom is a part of a compound, it means a compound is bigger than an atom
Why cant you find water on the periodic table?
It is not an element, it is a compound. It has a 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom (H20).
Can a compound be a single atom of gold?
A compound can contain a single atom of gold, but a single atom of gold alone, by itself, cannot be a compound.
Is NH3 an atom or compound?
Ammonia is a compound.
If an atom of sodium combines with an atom of fluorine what is the name of the new compound?
The compound formed when an atom of sodium combines with an atom of fluorine is called sodium fluoride.
When an atom bonds the atom joins a 2nd atom to become a what?
a compound.
Is there a compound with 1 atom of uranium and 1 atom of hydrogen?
Only the compound UH3 is possible and known.
Is a hydrogen an element compound or mixture?
hydrogen is an element because it cant be broken into its atoms easily..
If an atom of sodium combines with an atom of fluorine what is the new name of the new compound?
The new compound formed from the combination of a sodium atom and a fluorine atom is called sodium fluoride.
What is 1 compound?
it is an atom
What is the oxidation state of the manganese atom in the compound KMnO4?
The oxidation state of the manganese atom in the compound KMnO4 is 7.
Ability of an atom to attract electrons when the atom is in a compound?
Electronegativity
