Explain the difference between homolytic fission and heterolytic fission.

Homolytic fission:Homolytic fission occurs when the covalent bond breaks evenly, and each of the bonded atoms takes one of the shared pair of electrons from the bond. Each atom now has a single unpaired electron - called a radical. Heterolytic fission:On the other hand, heterolytic fission occurs when the covalent bond breaks unevenly, and one of the bonded atoms takes both of the electrons from the bond.The atom that takes both electrons becomes a negative ion (anion).The atom that does not take the electrons becomes a positive ion (cation).

HW
Answered by Hannah W. Chemistry tutor

46901 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

25cm^3 of 0.1M NaOH is reacted with 0.01M HCl until the equivalence point is reached. What volume of HCl was required to be added?


How do you calculate lattice enthaply?


Why do the boiling points of the hydrogen halides increase as you go down the group from HCl to HI?


How does the electronegativity of the halogen atom change as group 7 is descended?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences