Question

Compare covalent and ionic compounds on the basis of the followings -

1) intermolecular force2) intramolecular force

Answer 1

1) Intermolecular forces - The forces of attraction between neighbouring molecules of a compound are called intermolecular forces.
There are four types of intermolecular forces:
1) Ion- ion interaction - These forces arise due to the attraction between opposite charges. These are the strongest intermolecular forces. This type of interaction is found in ionic compounds. Due to strength of these forces, ionic compounds are solid, hard and have high melting and boiling points.
2) Dipole-Dipole
3) Hydrogen-bonding
4) Dispersion forces (van der Waals forces)
Theses forces are found in covalent bonds. These forces are less strong as compared to ion-ion interaction due to which covalent compounds are soft and have low melting and boiling points.

2) Intramolecular forces- The forces of attraction within a molecule of a compound i.e. between bonded atoms of a molecule are called intermolecular forces.
Intramolecular force in ionic compound is the electrostatic attraction also called ionic bond between two oppositively charged ions. An ionic bond is a very strong bond.
Intramolecular force in covalent compounds is the covalent bond formed by sharing of electrons between two atoms. Covalent bonds are also strong and in some cases they may be more strong than even ionic bonds.