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NEET CHEMISTRYChemical Bonding and Molecular StructureMedium

Question

Which of the following compounds has the lowest melting point?

A

CaBr2\text{CaBr}_2

B

CaI2\text{CaI}_2

C

CaF2\text{CaF}_2

D

CaCl2\text{CaCl}_2

Step-by-Step Solution

According to Fajan's rules, the covalent character of an ionic compound increases with the size of the anion, given that the cation remains the same. As we move down the halogen group, the size of the halide ion increases in the order F<Cl<Br<I\text{F}^- < \text{Cl}^- < \text{Br}^- < \text{I}^-. The larger the anion, the more easily it is polarised by the cation, leading to greater covalent character. Therefore, CaI2\text{CaI}_2 exhibits the maximum covalent character among the given options. Since covalent compounds generally have weaker intermolecular forces and lower melting points compared to the strong electrostatic forces in ionic compounds, CaI2\text{CaI}_2 has the lowest melting point.

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET CHEMISTRY syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure. Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

CHEMISTRYChemical Bonding and Molecular Structurefollowingcompoundslowestmelting

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