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Ionic vs Covalent Properties

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Ionic vs Covalent Properties

A materials team is investigating mystery substances. Use bonding, structure and test results to decide which substances are ionic or covalent. Answer each question and support your conclusions with evidence.

Bonding model

Ionic bonding usually forms between a metal and a non-metal: electrons are transferred, producing oppositely charged ions. Covalent bonding usually forms between non-metal atoms that share pairs of electrons. Many ionic substances form giant lattices; many covalent substances form small molecules. Giant covalent structures, such as diamond, are an important exception.

1.Magnesium is a metal and oxygen is a non-metal. Which type of bonding is expected in magnesium oxide, and what happens to the electrons?
2.In a substance, each atom is joined to nearby atoms by shared pairs of electrons. Is this evidence for ionic or covalent bonding? Explain what is shared.
3.A solid has a giant lattice of positive and negative ions. Which property is most likely?
  • A low melting point because the particles are far apart
  • A high melting point because strong attractions hold the lattice together
  • It conducts electricity as a solid because its ions can move freely
  • It consists of separate neutral molecules
4.A technician tests three substances. Substance A is a hard crystal that does not conduct as a solid but conducts when molten. Substance B is made of small molecules and does not conduct when molten. Substance C is a solid network of carbon atoms and has a very high melting point. Match each substance to the most likely structure: ionic lattice, simple molecular, or giant covalent.
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • Giant covalent
  • Ionic lattice
  • Simple molecular
5.True or false? Solid sodium chloride does not usually conduct electricity, but molten sodium chloride can conduct because its ions are free to move.
TrueFalse
6.A student writes, “Covalent substances always have low melting points.” Use diamond to correct this claim and explain why it is different from a substance made of small covalent molecules.
7.A colourless solution is made by dissolving a white crystalline solid in water. A conductivity meter shows that the solution conducts electricity. What is the most likely type of bonding in the solid? Explain what carries the current in the solution.
8.Fill in the blank using the word bank: high, low, molten, neutral. An ionic solid usually has a melting point.
9.Fill in the blank using the word bank: high, low, molten, neutral. An ionic substance conducts electricity when or dissolved because its charged particles can move.
10.Fill in the blank using the word bank: high, low, molten, neutral. A simple molecular covalent substance usually has a melting point.
11.Fill in the blank using the word bank: high, low, molten, neutral. Simple molecular covalent substances do not conduct electricity because their molecules are .
12.A report claims: “Any substance with a high melting point must be ionic.” Is the claim reliable? Give one example that supports your decision and explain what its structure tells you.

3 printable pages

  • Ionic vs Covalent Properties, page 1 of 3: Bonding model

    Page 1

  • Ionic vs Covalent Properties, page 2 of 3: 4. A technician tests three substances. Substance A is a hard crystal that does not…

    Page 2

  • Ionic vs Covalent Properties, page 3 of 3: 12. A report claims: “Any substance with a high melting point must be ionic.” Is the…

    Page 3

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