Why do covalent compounds have lower melting points than the ionic compounds?

Answer 1

Covalent compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons, hence the bonding is relatively weak. On the other hand, ionic compounds are formed by the transferring of electrons thus strong electrostatic forces holds the compound together, the strength in these forces co-existing within the ionic compounds require a large amount of energy to break it apart hence boiling and melting points are high.

Answer 2

because they're easier to separate.

Simple molecular(covalent) compounds are held intermolecular by covalent bond and intermolecular by relatively weak van der waal force.During melting and boiling covalent bonds are not broken but van der waal force which r overcome.Since the van der waal force is weak little energy is needed to overcome it resulting in low melting n boiling point.

Giant molecular cpds r held by covalent bonds.For melting n boiling 2 occur these bonds need to be overcome.Since the bond is very strong huge amount of energy is needed to break these bonds resulting in high m pt n bpt.

Answer 3

Melting and boiling points are determined by the strength of the intermolecular forces present in the compound. The stronger the intermolecular forces, the higher the melting and boiling points. There are four types of intermolecular forces, from lowest strength to highest: London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonding, and ion-dipole. Ionic compounds will have ion-dipole intermolecular forces. Because this is the strongest intermolecular force, ionic compounds will also have the highest melting and boiling points.

Answer 4

This is because interamolecular force between atoms of covalent bond are smaller than that of ionic bond so covalent compounds are weak and have low melting as well as boiling point than ionic compound

Answer 5

Molecular covalent compounds are generally lower melting because the intermolecular forces are weak and these are what hold the molecules together in the solid. In an ionic solid the bonds are electrostatic and the break up of the lattice requires these strong bonds to be broken.

Answer 6

Ionic compounds have giant lattices. Covalent compounds are usually molecular and the forces that hold the molecules together, intermolecular forces are weaker than ionic bonds.

Answer 7

Because the covalent bond is so strong, molecules covalently bonded to eachother don't break free of eachother so easily.