Explain the following:
(a) Covalent compounds are generally gases or liquids or soft solids.
(b) Covalent compounds have low melting point and boiling point.
(c) Non-polar covalent compounds are insoluble in water.
(d) Polar covalent compounds are good conductors of electricity.
Explain the following:
(a) Covalent compounds are generally gases or liquids or soft solids.
(b) Covalent compounds have low melting point and boiling point.
(c) Non-polar covalent compounds are insoluble in water.
(d) Polar covalent compounds are good conductors of electricity.
(a) Covalent compounds are generally gases or liquids or soft solids. This is because the covalent compounds consist of covalent molecules which are neutral in nature (except in polar covalent compounds). The force of attraction between these neutral molecules is weak.
(b) Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points because the intermolecular forces of attraction in these compounds are weak; hence, less amount of energy is required to overcome these forces.
(c) Non-polar covalent compounds are insoluble in water because they don't have any charge separation between them that can attract polar water molecules for dissolution.
(d) Polar covalent compounds are good conductors of electricity because their molecules have charge separation between them and they behave as ions in aqueous state. These polar molecules move freely in a solution and conduct electricity.
(a) Covalent compounds are generally gases or liquids or soft solids. This is because the covalent compounds consist of covalent molecules which are neutral in nature (except in polar covalent compounds). The force of attraction between these neutral molecules is weak.
(b) Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points because the intermolecular forces of attraction in these compounds are weak; hence, less amount of energy is required to overcome these forces.
(c) Non-polar covalent compounds are insoluble in water because they don't have any charge separation between them that can attract polar water molecules for dissolution.
(d) Polar covalent compounds are good conductors of electricity because their molecules have charge separation between them and they behave as ions in aqueous state. These polar molecules move freely in a solution and conduct electricity.
