Ionic and covalent compounds might look complicated, but they are actually quite interesting! Let’s break it down in a simpler way.
Ionic Compounds:
How They Are Made: Ionic compounds are made when atoms transfer electrons. Metals give away electrons, turning into positively charged ions. Non-metals take in those electrons and become negatively charged ions.
How They Are Arranged: The ions come together in a special structure called a lattice. This structure is like a repeating pattern that keeps the ions together. Because of this strong connection between the positive and negative ions, ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points.
Can They Conduct Electricity?: When ionic compounds are solid, they don’t let electricity flow through them. But when they dissolve in water or melt, they can conduct electricity because the ions are free to move around.
Covalent Compounds:
How They Are Made: Covalent compounds are different because they are created when non-metals share electrons. When two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons, they form a molecule.
How They Are Arranged: Covalent compounds can form small molecules, like water (H2O), or they can be bigger structures known as polymers.
What They Are Like: Usually, covalent compounds have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds. Some can conduct electricity, but it depends on their structure.
Once you get a grasp on how these bonds work, it’s much easier to see what properties the compounds will have!
Ionic and covalent compounds might look complicated, but they are actually quite interesting! Let’s break it down in a simpler way.
Ionic Compounds:
How They Are Made: Ionic compounds are made when atoms transfer electrons. Metals give away electrons, turning into positively charged ions. Non-metals take in those electrons and become negatively charged ions.
How They Are Arranged: The ions come together in a special structure called a lattice. This structure is like a repeating pattern that keeps the ions together. Because of this strong connection between the positive and negative ions, ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points.
Can They Conduct Electricity?: When ionic compounds are solid, they don’t let electricity flow through them. But when they dissolve in water or melt, they can conduct electricity because the ions are free to move around.
Covalent Compounds:
How They Are Made: Covalent compounds are different because they are created when non-metals share electrons. When two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons, they form a molecule.
How They Are Arranged: Covalent compounds can form small molecules, like water (H2O), or they can be bigger structures known as polymers.
What They Are Like: Usually, covalent compounds have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds. Some can conduct electricity, but it depends on their structure.
Once you get a grasp on how these bonds work, it’s much easier to see what properties the compounds will have!