5.4 The properties of Ionic and Covalent Compounds

Properties of ionic compounds
■ Ionic compound.

	►	Made of ions of opposite charges.
	►	Ions are pulled together by strong electrostatic forces.

■ Properties of ionic compounds.

	►	Melting point and boiling point. ○ Very high. ○ A lot of energy is needed to overcome the strong electrostatic forces between the ions.
	►	Electrical conductivity. ○ Conduct electricity in a molten state or aqueous solution because ion are free to move and carry electrical charges. ○ Cannot conduct electricity in solid form because ions are not free to move and not able to carry charges.
	►	Solubility. ○ Normally soluble in water. ○ Not soluble in organic solvent.
	►	Volatility. ○ Not vaporize easily due to high boiling point.
	►	Physical state. ○ Exist as crystal under room conditions.

Properties of covalent compounds
■ Covalent compound.

	►	Made of neutral covalent molecules.
	►	Atoms are bound together by covalent bonds.
	►	Molecules are pulled together by weak forces (Van der Waals force).

■ Properties of covalent compounds.

	►	Melting point and boiling point. ○ Low because the forces of attraction between molecules are weak.
	►	Electrical conductivity. ○ Cannot conduct electricity.
	►	Solubility. ○ Normally soluble in organic solvent.
	►	Volatility. ○ Vaporize easily due to low boiling point.
	►	Physical state. ○ Exist as gaseous state, liquid state or solid state at room conditions.

Laboratory Activity 5.4.1 To study the physical properties of ionic and covalent compounds

← 5.3 Formation of Covalent Bonds

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