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Why are the melting and boiling points of covalent compounds lower than those of ionic compounds?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Molecular covalent compounds (where there are discrete molecules) have van der waals forces holding the molecules together in the solid and liquid phases. These forces are weak due to the small electrostatic charges involved as these originate in permanent or instantaneous dipoles. Ionic compounds are giant lattices where the ions are held together by electrostatic forces deriving fromthe relatively large charges on ions. It therefore takes more energy to break ionic lattices.
NOTE that giant covalent molecules like diamond, silicon carbide also have high melting points. In these much energy is required to break the covalent bonds that hold the giant molecule together.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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Why the melting and boiling point of covalent compound are low?
Compared to ionic compounds, covalent compounds have relatively low melting and boiling points because covalent bonds are not as strong as ionic bonds, and it is the bonds which hold materials together in the solid, or more solid phases.
Do ionic compounds have lower boiling points than polar covalent?
Ionic compounds have higher boiling points than covalent compounds.
How are ionic and covalent compounds different in terms of melting and boiling point and electrical conductivity and hardness and brittleness?
Ionic compounds generally have higher melting and boiling points.
Are melting points of covalent compounds high or low compared to ionic compounds?
Ionic compounds have strong electrostatic force of attraction and hence have higher melting points than covalent compounds.
What are two physical properties that differ between covalent and ionic bonds?
There are more than two. In general: Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points while ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points. Ionic compounds are good conductors of electricity when melted, while covalent compounds are not. Ionic compounds are soluble in water, while covalent compounds are soluble in non-polar liquids. These are the essentials, but other differences exist. All of these are generalizations, exceptions do occur.
How does the melting point of ionic compounds compared to that of covalent compounds?
Ionic compounds generally have higher melting and boiling points.
What properties do most covalent compounds have in common?
Most molecular compounds do not conduct electricity and have low melting points.
Which type of compound would have the lowest melting point?
Compounds bonded by covalent bonds do not necessarily have low melting points. Some have whereas some don't have.Some polymers and hydrocarbons have very high melting points. But it can be said that they don't have melting points as high as ionic compounds. It is so because ionic bonds are stronger than the covalent bonds.
Why the melting and boiling point of covalent compound are low?
Compared to ionic compounds, covalent compounds have relatively low melting and boiling points because covalent bonds are not as strong as ionic bonds, and it is the bonds which hold materials together in the solid, or more solid phases.
Do ionic compounds have lower boiling points than polar covalent?
Ionic compounds have higher boiling points than covalent compounds.
What is the boiling temperature for covalent compounds?
All different covalent compounds have different boiling points.
How are ionic and covalent compounds different in terms of melting and boiling point and electrical conductivity and hardness and brittleness?
Ionic compounds generally have higher melting and boiling points.
Are melting points of covalent compounds high or low compared to ionic compounds?
Ionic compounds have strong electrostatic force of attraction and hence have higher melting points than covalent compounds.
What are two physical properties that differ between covalent and ionic bonds?
There are more than two. In general: Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points while ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points. Ionic compounds are good conductors of electricity when melted, while covalent compounds are not. Ionic compounds are soluble in water, while covalent compounds are soluble in non-polar liquids. These are the essentials, but other differences exist. All of these are generalizations, exceptions do occur.
What is usually a property of covalently bonded compounds?
Covalent bonded compounds have generally lower melting and boiling points, are not hard, are less conductive etc.
Why do molecular compounds have low melting points and low boiling points relative to ionic substance's?
The melting points and boiling points of molecular covalent compounds (ones with discrete molecules) are lower than ionic solids and giant molecule covalent compounds like (silica, SiO2) because the forces that attract them together in the solid and the liquid states (van der waals, hydrogen bonding and dispersion forces) are weaker than ionic (or covalent) bonds.
Why do molecular compounds have low melting points and low boiling points relative to ionic substances?
The melting points and boiling points of molecular covalent compounds (ones with discrete molecules) are lower than ionic solids and giant molecule covalent compounds like (silica, SiO2) because the forces that attract them together in the solid and the liquid states (van der waals, hydrogen bonding and dispersion forces) are weaker than ionic (or covalent) bonds.
