Some people are pursuing a ban on a chemical called hydroxic acid, also known as dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO). This chemical is a constituent in many known toxic substances and can be lethal to humans even in small quantities.
Here are some of the known perils of this chemical:
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Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage.
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DHMO is a major component in acid rain and in commercial pesticides.
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Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns to the skin and lungs.
With the information provided above, would you support a ban on DHMO?
What if you were told that the chemical formula for this substance is H2O? That's right--the chemical described above is just water!
You've already learned how to name and write formulas for ionic compounds in past lessons. In this lesson you will expand that knowledge to include molecular compounds and acidic solutions. This will help you understand how the formula H2O corresponds to the name “hydroxic acid” or “dihydrogen monoxide.”
Question
What type of bonding is present in a molecular compound?
Molecules contain covalent bonding, which exists between atoms of nonmetal elements.
