3.1.3.
4 Bonding and Physical Properties
E ects of Bonding & Structure on Physical Properties
Di erent types of structure and bonding have di erent e ects on the physical
properties of substances such as their melting and boiling points, electrical
conductivity and solubility
Ionic bonding & giant ionic lattice structures
Ionic compounds are strong
o The strong electrostatic forces in ionic compounds keep the ions
strongly together
They are brittle (meaning ionic crystals can split apart easily)
Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points
o The strong electrostatic forces between the ions in the lattice act in all
directions and keep them strongly together
o Melting and boiling points increase with charge density of the ions due to
the greater electrostatic attraction of charges
o For example, Mg2+O2- has a higher melting point than Na+Cl-
Ionic compounds are soluble in water as they can form ion - dipole bonds
Ionic compounds only conduct electricity when molten or in solution
o When molten or in solution, the ions can freely move around and conduct
electricity
o In the solid state they’re in a fixed position and unable to move around
Metallic bonding & giant metallic lattice structures
Metallic structures are malleable
o When a force is applied, the metal layers can slide
o The attractive forces between the metal ions and electrons act in all
directions
o So when the layers slide, the metallic bonds are re-formed
o The lattice is not broken and has changed shape
Metallic lattices are strong and hard
o Due to the strong attractive forces between the metal ions and
delocalised electrons
Metals have high melting and boiling points
Pure metals are insoluble in water
Metals can conduct electricity when in the solid or liquid state
o As both in the solid and liquid state there are mobile electrons which can
freely move around and conduct electricity
Metals are malleable as the layers can slide over each without breaking the
attraction
Covalent bonding & simple covalent lattice structures
Simple covalent lattices have low melting and boiling points
These compounds have weak intermolecular forces between the
molecules
Only little energy is required to break the lattice
Most compounds are insoluble with water
Unless they are polar and can form hydrogen bonds (such as sucrose)
They do not conduct electricity in the solid or liquid state as there are no
charged particles
Some simple covalent compounds do conduct electricity in solution, but
this is a reaction with the water than produces ions such as HCl which
forms H+ and Cl- ions
Covalent bonding & giant covalent lattice structures
Giant covalent lattices have very high melting and boiling points
o These compounds have a large number of covalent bonds linking the
whole structure
o A lot of energy is required to break the lattice
The compounds can be hard or soft
o Graphite is soft as the forces between the carbon layers are weak
o Diamond and silicon(IV) oxide are hard as it is di icult to break their 3D
network of strong covalent bonds
Most compounds are insoluble with water
Most compounds do not conduct electricity however some do
o Graphite has delocalised electrons between the carbon layers which can
move along the layers when a voltage is applied
o Diamond and silicon(IV) oxide do not conduct electricity as all four outer
electrons on every carbon atom are involved in a covalent bond so there
are no freely moving electrons available
E ects of Bonding & Structure on Physical Properties
Di erent types of structure and bonding have di erent e ects on
the physical properties of substances such as their melting and boiling
points, electrical conductivity and solubility
Ionic bonding & giant ionic lattice structures
Ionic compounds are strong
o The strong electrostatic forces in ionic compounds keep the ions
strongly together
They are brittle (meaning ionic crystals can split apart easily)
Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points
o The strong electrostatic forces between the ions in the lattice act in
all directions and keep them strongly together
o Melting and boiling points increase with charge density of the ions
due to the greater electrostatic attraction of charges
o For example, Mg2+O2- has a higher melting point than Na+Cl-
Ionic compounds are soluble in water as they can form ion - dipole bonds
Ionic compounds only conduct electricity when molten or in solution
o When molten or in solution, the ions can freely move around and
conduct electricity
o In the solid state they’re in a fixed position and unable to move around
Metallic bonding & giant metallic lattice structures
Metallic structures are malleable
o When a force is applied, the metal layers can slide
o The attractive forces between the metal ions and electrons act in all
directions
o So when the layers slide, the metallic bonds are re-formed
o The lattice is not broken and has changed shape
Metallic lattices are strong and hard
o Due to the strong attractive forces between the metal ions and
delocalised electrons
Metals have high melting and boiling points
Pure metals are insoluble in water
Metals can conduct electricity when in the solid or liquid state
o As both in the solid and liquid state there are mobile electrons which
can freely move around and conduct electricity
Metals are malleable as the layers can slide over each without breaking the
attraction
Covalent bonding & simple covalent lattice structures
Simple covalent lattices have low melting and boiling points
o These compounds have weak intermolecular forces between the
molecules
o Only little energy is required to break the lattice
Most compounds are insoluble with water
o Unless they are polar and can form hydrogen bonds (such as sucrose)
They do not conduct electricity in the solid or liquid state as there are no
charged particles
o Some simple covalent compounds do conduct electricity in solution,
but this is a reaction with the water than produces ions such as HCl
which forms H+ and Cl- ions
Covalent bonding & giant covalent lattice structures
Giant covalent lattices have very high melting and boiling points
o These compounds have a large number of covalent bonds linking the
whole structure
o A lot of energy is required to break the lattice
The compounds can be hard or soft
o Graphite is soft as the forces between the carbon layers are weak
o Diamond and silicon(IV) oxide are hard as it is di icult to break their
3D network of strong covalent bonds
Most compounds are insoluble with water
Most compounds do not conduct electricity however some do
o Graphite has delocalised electrons between the carbon layers which
can move along the layers when a voltage is applied
o Diamond and silicon(IV) oxide do not conduct electricity as all four
outer electrons on every carbon atom are involved in a covalent
bond so there are no freely moving electrons available
Characteristics of Di erent Compound Structure Types Table
Characteristics of Di erent Compound Structure Types Table
