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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.

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What causes the differences in melting points and boiling points between ionic and covalent compounds molecular substances?

The differences in melting and boiling points between ionic and covalent compounds are due to the strength of the intermolecular forces present. Ionic compounds have strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions, resulting in higher melting and boiling points. Covalent compounds have weaker intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces or dipole-dipole interactions, leading to lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic 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.


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.


Write down the differences between ionic compound from covalent compounds?

Ionic Compounds are formed by complete transfer of electrons while Covalent compounds are formed by sharing of electrons. Ionic compounds have higher melting points while covalent compounds have lower.


What is true about all covalent compounds?

Covalent compounds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms. They tend to have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds. Covalent compounds are often formed between nonmetal atoms.

Related Questions

How does the melting point of ionic compounds compared to that of covalent compounds?

Ionic compounds generally have higher melting and boiling points.


What causes the differences in melting points and boiling points between ionic and covalent compounds molecular substances?

The differences in melting and boiling points between ionic and covalent compounds are due to the strength of the intermolecular forces present. Ionic compounds have strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions, resulting in higher melting and boiling points. Covalent compounds have weaker intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces or dipole-dipole interactions, leading to lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds.


What properties do most covalent compounds have in common?

Most covalent compounds have relatively low melting and boiling points, as they are held together by weak intermolecular forces. They are usually insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolar solvents. Covalent compounds tend to be nonconductors of electricity in their solid form.


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.


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.


Write down the differences between ionic compound from covalent compounds?

Ionic Compounds are formed by complete transfer of electrons while Covalent compounds are formed by sharing of electrons. Ionic compounds have higher melting points while covalent compounds have lower.


What is the boiling temperature for covalent compounds?

All different covalent compounds have different boiling points.


What is true about all covalent compounds?

Covalent compounds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms. They tend to have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds. Covalent compounds are often formed between nonmetal atoms.


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.


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.


Is the covalent melting and boiling point high or low?

The covalent melting and boiling points are generally lower than those of ionic compounds due to weaker intermolecular forces between covalent molecules. These forces include London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding. The actual melting and boiling points vary depending on the specific molecules involved.


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.