Question

Differentiate between ionic compounds and molecular compounds.

Answer 1

The difference between ionic compounds and molecular compounds is listed in the table below:

Ionic compounds	Molecular compounds
Ionic compound consists of atoms of the elements that are combined by a force of attraction between two oppositely charged that are responsible to hold a bond between them.	Molecular compound consists of molecules which are made up of atoms that are of different /same type.
The bond that connects between the two atoms in the ionic compound is called as electrovalent bond.	The bond that connects the atoms of molecular compound is covalent bond.
The interaction between the Cations (positively charged species) and Anions (negatively charged species) form an ionic compound.	The molecular compound is formed by the interaction of neutral atoms i.e no charged species are involved here.
In an Ionic compound electrons are transferred from one atom to other in order to satisfy the octet configuration of both participating atoms.	Covalent bond is formed by the sharing of electrons by the two participating atoms.
Ionic bonds are stronger and thus responsible for the higher melting points of ionic compounds.	Molecular compound that consists of covalent bonds are comparatively weaker than ionic bonds.
Example: Sodium chloride $\left(\mathrm{NaCl}\right)$, Calcium chloride $\left({\mathrm{CaCl}}_2\right)$, Potassium sulphate $\left({\mathrm{K}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$	Example: Carbon dioxide $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$, nitrogen $\left({\mathrm{N}}_2\right)$, oxygen $\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$