Question

o
1. Write down the hinsperties of ionic and
cavalent compounds.​

Answer 1

Ionic compounds are formed from strong electrostatic interactions between ions, which result in higher melting points and electrical conductivity compared to covalent compounds. Covalent compounds have bonds where electrons are shared between atoms.

Properties of Ionic and Covalent Compounds

Ionic and covalent compounds differ in their properties because the particles in each of these two compounds are held together by different types of chemical bonds.

Table compares and contrasts the properties of ionic and covalent compounds.

Covalent compounds Ionic compounds (composed of simple molecules)

(a) Have high melting and boiling points (a) Have low melting and boiling points

(b) Exist as solids at room temperature.

Non-volatile

(b) Usually exist as liquids or gases at room temperature.

Volatile

(c) Conduct electricity in the molten state or in an aqueous solution but do not conduct electricity in the solid state

(c) Do not conduct electricity in the solid and liquid states

(d) Usually soluble in water but insoluble in organic solvents such as ether, alcohol, benzene, tetrachloromethane, propanone and other

(d) Usually insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents such as ether, alcohol, benzene, tetrachloromethane, propanone and other

Explaining the melting and boiling points of ionic compounds

Table shows the melting and boiling points of some ionic compounds.

Ionic compound Melting point (°C) Boiling point (°C)

Calcium oxide, CaO 2580 2850

Magnesium chloride, MgCl2 714

Sodium fluoride, NaF 993 1695

Aluminium oxide, Al2O3 2030 2970

Sodium chloride, NaCl 801 1420

The melting and boiling points of ionic compounds are high.