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

55699 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Regarding the first ionisation energies, why do the values shown on the graph go down from magnesium to aluminium and then rise again from aluminium to silicon


Explain the purpouse of reflux in the oxidation of ethanol to ethanoic acid


Explain why the enthalpy of lattice dissociation of potassium oxide is less endothermic than that of sodium oxide. ( 2 Marks)


Draw the mechanism for the reaction of an acid chloride with an alcohol to form an ester


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning