JEE Main · 2021 · Shift-IImediumBOND-133

The correct set from the following in which both pairs are in correct order of melting point is:

Chemical Bonding · Class 11 · JEE Main Previous Year Question

Question

The correct set from the following in which both pairs are in correct order of melting point is:

Options
  1. a

    LiF > LiCl; NaCl > MgO

  2. b

    LiCl > LiF; MgO > NaCl

  3. c

    LiCl > LiF; NaCl > MgO

  4. d

    LiF > LiCl; MgO > NaCl

Correct Answerd

LiF > LiCl; MgO > NaCl

Detailed Solution

🧠 Melting point of ionic compounds reflects lattice energy: higher lattice energy → higher melting point. Lattice energy increases with higher ionic charges and smaller ionic radii.

🗺️ Compare the pairs:

LiF vs LiCl (same cation Li⁺):

  • F⁻ (radius 133 pm) < Cl⁻ (radius 181 pm)
  • Smaller F⁻ → shorter interionic distance → higher lattice energy
  • LiF > LiCl ✓ (m.p. LiF ≈ 848 °C, LiCl ≈ 610 °C)

MgO vs NaCl:

  • MgO: Mg²⁺ (charge +2) and O²⁻ (charge −2) → doubly-charged ions
  • NaCl: Na⁺ (+1) and Cl⁻ (−1) → singly charged ions
  • Higher charge in MgO gives enormously higher lattice energy
  • MgO > NaCl ✓ (m.p. MgO ≈ 2852 °C, NaCl ≈ 801 °C)

Answer: LiF>LiCl; MgO>NaCl\boxed{\text{Answer: LiF} > \text{LiCl; MgO} > \text{NaCl}}

Practice this question with progress tracking

Want timed practice with adaptive difficulty? Solve this question (and hundreds more from Chemical Bonding) inside The Crucible, our adaptive practice platform.