Properties of Ionic and Covalent Compounds Section 4.3 Pages 94-95
Physical State Ionic – solid at room temperature due to rigid 3D structure Covalent – state varies at room temperature (sugar, ethanol, carbon dioxide)
Melting and Boiling Points Melting point – temp. at which solid is converted to liquid Boiling point – temp. at which liquid is converted to gas at specific pressure It takes large amounts of energy to break apart ionic crystal lattice.
Melting and Boiling Points Ionic compounds generally have higher melting and boiling points as compared to covalent compounds. Melting Point Example: NaCl 801°C methane -182 °C
Structure of Compounds in Solid State Ionic – crystalline (regular repeating structure) Table salt Covalent – crystalline or amorphous (no regular structure) Sugar, graphite
Solutions Ionic solids dissolve in water. Ionic solutions are electrolytes – can carry electrical current Nonpolar covalent solids do not dissolve in water. Polar covalent solids can dissolve in water and are weak electrolytes.