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 nonpolar molecules (Van der Waals) Dipole-dipole forces occur between polar molecules Hydrogen bonding occurs between molecules with an H-F, H-O, or H-N bond Intermolecular forces determine phase!
Dispersion forces ↑ as size molecule ↑ weakest IMF = dispersion forces - occur between nonpolar molecules Monatomic molecules: He, Ne, Ar, Kr, etc. Diatomics of same element: O2, H2, N2 Symmetric molecules: C4H10 Dispersion forces ↑ as size molecule ↑
Dipole-dipole forces occur between: - polar molecules (permanent charge separation) HCl and HBr are examples of polar diatomic molecules
Hydrogen bonding occurs between molecules containing an H-F, H-O, or H-N bond H-bonding: strongest IMF
Properties of Covalent (Molecular) Substances Poor conductors of heat & electricity no charged particles! Low mp & low bp easy to pull molecules apart from each other Majority of solids are soft Low Hf and Hv compared to ionic & metallic substances High VP compared to ionic & metallic substances
mp, bp, Hf and Hv and vapor pressure depend on how hard it is to pull particles apart Weak IMF – easy to pull particles apart Strong IMF – more difficult to pull apart
Which substance has the strongest intermolecular forces? The weakest? Water Ether