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because covalent compounds form distinct molecules, in which the atoms are bound tightly to one another. Unlike in ionic compounds, these molecules don't interact with each other much (except through relatively weak forces called "intermolecular forces"), making them very easy to pull apart from each other. Since they're easy to separate, covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points.

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Q: Why do covalent substaces have low melting points?
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Related questions

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 properties do most covalent compounds have in common?

Most molecular compounds do not conduct electricity and have low melting points.


Do non polar covalent compounds have high or low melting points?

No they have high melting and boiling points. Don't get confused with simple molecular structures such as water and carbon dioxide which have simple covalent structures. When you heat them you are overcoming the forces BETWEEN THE MOLECULES (intermolecular/van der waals forces of attraction), NOT the actual covalent bonds themselves, like the bond betwen the C and either O in carbon dioxide.


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 do molecular compounds have low melting points?

The covalent bond is not so strong as the ionic bond.


What are properties of a covalent bond?

Simple covalent molecules tend to have low boiling and melting points, as well as being quite brittle when solid.


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.


What is the melting point for covalent?

Covalent bonds do not melt. Compounds with covalent bonds melt and the melting point depends primarily on whether there are discrete molecules held together by intermolecular forces (which have lower melting points) or giant covalent networks such as in silica or diamond (which tend to have higher melting points).


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.


Do the halogens have a high or low melting points?

They have low melting points and high reactivity.


What bond has a low melting point?

This is the covalent bond.