A report on properties and uses of covalent compounds
Answers
Almost everything on the earth except the most simple inorganic salts are covalent. Generally, covalent compounds have a much lower melting and boiling point than the ionic compounds. They are soft and squishy. They do not conduct electricity in water. Moreover, they are not very soluble in water. They are found in various colours.
They exist as single molecules. Most of them are in the gaseous state for example, hydrogen, oxygen and ammonia. Some of them are in the liquid form for example, bromine. Few of them exist in the solid form for example, iodine and phosphorus. They generally react in molecular form.
Most of the things that we eat and use are made up of covalently bonded compounds. For example, plastic, petroleum and wood. Water is a covalent compound and is used for various purposes. Even food that we eat and the oxygen that we breathe is in the form of covalently bonded molecules.
A covalent compound is made when two or more non-metal atoms bond by sharing valence electrons. Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom which play a vital role in forming a covalent compound.
Properties:
1. Most of the covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points.
2. They tend to be more flammable as compared to ionic compounds.
3. Their composition is hard and brittle.
4. They conduct electricity but only when dissolved in water.
Uses:
CO₂ , H₂O and CCl₄ are some of common examples of a simple covelent compounds. It is due to the covalent bond which makes the surface of the diamonds hard. The surface of cement get hardens because of the covalent bond. Vinegar or acetic acid, sugar or sucrose are some of the examples of covalent bonds used in daily life.