Properties of Covalent (Molecular) Substances
Properties depend on strength of IMF between “particles” or separate units covalent substances: units are molecules
Intermolecular Forces dispersion forces occur between non-polar molecules (Van der Waals) dipole-dipole forces occur between polar molecules hydrogen bonding forces occur between molecules with H-F, H-O, or H-N Remember: IMF determine phase!
dispersion forces ↑ as size molecule ↑ weakest IMF = dispersion forces - occur between non-polar molecules monatomic molecules: diatomics of same element: symmetric molecules: hydrocarbon molecules: He, Ne, Ar, Kr O2, H2, N2 CO2, CCl4, CF4 CH4, C4 H10 Reminder: dispersion forces ↑ as size molecule ↑
If a covalent molecule doesn’t meet the requirements for a non-polar substance than it is polar and will have dipole-dipole IMF or H-bonding forces
Properties: Covalent (Molecular) Substances poor conductors: heat & electricity no charged particles! low mp & low bp: easy to pull molecules apart from each other low Hf and Hv: compared with ionic & metallic substances high VP: majority of solids are soft
mp, bp, Hf and Hv & VP depend on how difficult it is to separate particles from each other strong IMF – difficult to separate particles (more energy) weak IMF – easy to separate particles (less energy)
Which substance has the strongest IMF? The weakest? How know which is which? water ether