Physical Properties of Covalent Compounds

Question 1

what are the physical properties of covalent compounds?

Answer 1

• low melting and boiling points. they exist as gases or volatile liquids at room temperature
• most cannot conduct electricity in any state
• are usually soluble in organic solvents but not in water

Question 2

explain why covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points

Answer 2

• molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces of attraction known as van den Waals
• very little energy is needed to overcome these forces
• hence they have low melting and boiling points

Question 3

explain why most covalent compounds cannot conduct electricity in any state

Answer 3

they are delocalised which means that they do not have any mobile ions or mobile valence electrons to conduct electricity