Question

Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling point. Why?

Answer 1

Covalent compound:

• The covalent bond is known as the type of bond formed by equal sharing of electrons where the shared electrons are called ‘bonding pairs of electrons.
• Covalent bonds are very stable having strong interatomic forces whereas , they intermolecular forces between them are weak.

Explanation for, Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling point:

• As we know , Covalent compounds are held together by weak intermolecular forces.
• These weaker forces of attraction between the molecules , tend to make the covalent compound bind loosely together.
• Hence,as the forces between the molecules are weak, it requires only a little amount of energy to break them.
• Since lower heat is capable of breaking the weak intermolecular forces between the molecules , this makes the melting and boiling points of covalent compounds to be low.

Thus, this explains why, Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling point.