Properties of Ionic and Covalent Compounds

Front

What are ionic compounds?

Back

Ionic compounds are substances formed from the electrostatic attraction between positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). They typically form when metals react with nonmetals.

Front

What are covalent compounds?

Back

Covalent compounds are substances formed when two or more nonmetals share electrons to achieve a full outer shell. They usually have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds.

Front

What is the general property of ionic compounds in solution?

Back

Ionic compounds dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, allowing them to conduct electricity.

Front

What is the general property of covalent compounds in solution?

Back

Covalent compounds typically do not dissociate into ions in solution and do not conduct electricity.

Front

How do ionic compounds typically form?

Back

Ionic compounds form when a metal atom transfers one or more electrons to a nonmetal atom, resulting in the formation of cations and anions.

Front

How do covalent compounds typically form?

Back

Covalent compounds form when two nonmetal atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.

Front

What is the boiling point of ionic compounds compared to covalent compounds?

Back

Ionic compounds generally have higher boiling points than covalent compounds due to the strong electrostatic forces between ions.

Front

What is the melting point of covalent compounds compared to ionic compounds?

Back

Covalent compounds usually have lower melting points than ionic compounds because the forces holding covalent molecules together are weaker.

Front

What is the chemical formula for the compound formed by sodium ions and chloride ions?

Back

NaCl

Front

What is the chemical formula for the compound formed by magnesium ions and nitrogen ions?

Back

Mg₃N₂