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Q: Why can ionic compounds conduct electricity but molecular compounds usually can not?
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Can covalents conduct elec?

Usually no. Molecular covalent bonded compounds do not conduct electricity. When the bonding is covalent and the bonds are sigma bonds the electrons are not free to move. HOWEVER. Take graphite covalently bonded and a relatively poor conductor of electricity- because of its free electrons. There are conductive organic polymers, these have free delocalised electrons.


Are molecular compounds conductive?

Most organic (or molecular) compounds are not electrically conductive, although a few are. Conductive polymers can be conductive.See the Web Links to the left of this answer for more information about conductive polymers


What is the properties of covalent bond?

Covalent compounds generally have much lower melting and boiling points that ionic compounds. Covalent compounds are soft and squishy. Covalent compounds tend to be more flammable that ionic compounds. Covalent compounds don't conduct electricity in water. Covalent compounds aren't usually very soluble in water.


Molecular compounds are usually .?

composed of two or more nonmetallic elements.


Why are covalently bonded molecular compounds never conductive?

Molecular compounds (these are electrically neutral) would be expected to be poor electrical conductors because the electrons in their covalent bonds are localised and difficult to "move". In any event molecules are separate and possible movement of electrons within the molecule would be difficult to propagate across the intermolecular gap. There are some interesting examples of covalent compounds that do conduct electricity. There are conductive polymers. Some are carbon based but there are others such as polythiazyl a sulfur nitrogen polymer. Strictly these polymers are molecular its just that the molecules are very large, and they are not usually included in the answers to questions like this. See links

Related questions

Why ionic compounds conduct electricity in molten state?

Ionic compounds are usually solid in nature and free flow of ions is not possible . However , in molten state the ions are able to flow freely and thus conduct electricity.


Can covalents conduct elec?

Usually no. Molecular covalent bonded compounds do not conduct electricity. When the bonding is covalent and the bonds are sigma bonds the electrons are not free to move. HOWEVER. Take graphite covalently bonded and a relatively poor conductor of electricity- because of its free electrons. There are conductive organic polymers, these have free delocalised electrons.


Are molecular compounds conductive?

Most organic (or molecular) compounds are not electrically conductive, although a few are. Conductive polymers can be conductive.See the Web Links to the left of this answer for more information about conductive polymers


Are molecular compounds usually non-metals?

Yes, most molecular compounds do not contain metals. (The term "nonmetal" properly applies only to elements, not compounds.)


Are molecular compounds made up of metals or nonmetals?

Some molecular compounds, such as methyl mercury, contain both metals and nonmetals. Most molecular compounds contain only nonmetals, and all molecular compounds contain at least one nonmetal element.


What is the properties of covalent bond?

Covalent compounds generally have much lower melting and boiling points that ionic compounds. Covalent compounds are soft and squishy. Covalent compounds tend to be more flammable that ionic compounds. Covalent compounds don't conduct electricity in water. Covalent compounds aren't usually very soluble in water.


Do materials that conduct heat also tend to conduct electricity?

Usually, yes.


Molecular compounds are usually .?

composed of two or more nonmetallic elements.


What are some properties of molecular compounds?

Simple molecular structures like H2O and CO2 have the following properties: 1) Physical state: usually liquids and gases at room temperature due to weak intermolecular forces 2) Melting and boiling points: low (below 2000 C) melting and boiling points due to weak intermolecular forces 3) Electrical conductivity: cannot conduct electricity because there are no free electrons 4) Solubility: insoluble in water, but soluble in organic substances such as petrol Macromolecular structures such as diamond and SiO2 have the following properties: 1) Physical state: hard solids at room temperature due to the many strong covalent bonds holding the atoms together 2) Melting and boiling points: high melting and boiling points due to the many strong covalent bonds that must be broken before the substance can change state 3) Electrical conductivity: cannot conduct electricity because there are no free electrons 4) Solubility: insoluble


Why is it that organic compound does not conduct electricity?

Covalent substances do not conduct electricity because they are sharing electrons, hence they are in a fixed position and are not able to move around and contribute to movement of the electric current.


Why are covalently bonded molecular compounds never conductive?

Molecular compounds (these are electrically neutral) would be expected to be poor electrical conductors because the electrons in their covalent bonds are localised and difficult to "move". In any event molecules are separate and possible movement of electrons within the molecule would be difficult to propagate across the intermolecular gap. There are some interesting examples of covalent compounds that do conduct electricity. There are conductive polymers. Some are carbon based but there are others such as polythiazyl a sulfur nitrogen polymer. Strictly these polymers are molecular its just that the molecules are very large, and they are not usually included in the answers to questions like this. See links


Does an iron nail conduct electricity?

Yes they do, they have approximately .3 volts of conductivity.