Learn
Games

2.6 - Characteristics of Covalent Compounds

Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Key Characteristics of Covalent Compounds

Unlock Audio Lesson

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson

Teacher
Teacher

Let's talk about covalent compounds. What do you think distinguishes them from ionic compounds?

Student 1
Student 1

I think it's about how they form bonds, right? Sharing electrons instead of transferring them!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Covalent compounds form by sharing electron pairs. Now, what about their melting and boiling points?

Student 2
Student 2

I remember they have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! We could say they are like a loose cluster compared to ionic compounds, which have strong attractions. Why do you think that affects their states of matter?

Student 3
Student 3

Because they can be gases or liquids, not just hard solids? Like water and oxygen?

Teacher
Teacher

Right again! They can exist as gases, liquids, or solids. Let's summarize: covalent compounds tend to have low melting and boiling points and can exist in various forms.

Solubility and Conductivity

Unlock Audio Lesson

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson

Teacher
Teacher

Now, we need to explore how covalent compounds behave in water. Any ideas on their solubility?

Student 4
Student 4

I think many of them are not very soluble in water.

Teacher
Teacher

That's right! In contrast to ionic compounds that generally dissolve in water, many covalent compounds remain insoluble. Can you think of an example of a covalent compound that is insoluble?

Student 1
Student 1

Like oil in water?

Teacher
Teacher

Perfect example! Oil is a covalent compound. Now, let’s move on to conductivity. Why do covalent compounds not conduct electricity?

Student 2
Student 2

Because they don’t have free ions to move around?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Unlike ionic compounds that have dissociated ions, covalent compounds lack free ions, so they do not conduct electricity. Summarize what we discussed about solubility and conductivity for covalent compounds, please.

Student 3
Student 3

They are usually insoluble in water and do not conduct electricity.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section describes the properties of covalent compounds, which differ significantly from those of ionic compounds.

Standard

Covalent compounds typically have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds, and they may exist as gases, liquids, or solids. These compounds are usually less soluble in water and do not conduct electricity due to the absence of free ions.

Detailed

Characteristics of Covalent Compounds

Covalent compounds are defined by the way they form bonds, specifically through the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. Here are the key characteristics:

  • Melting and Boiling Points: Covalent compounds typically have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds due to weaker intermolecular forces.
  • Physical State: They can exist in various states: gases (like oxygen), liquids (like water), or solids (like sugar).
  • Solubility: Many covalent compounds are insoluble or exhibit low solubility in water, contrasting with ionic compounds that are generally soluble.
  • Electrical Conductivity: Covalent compounds do not conduct electricity in any state because they do not contain free ions.

Understanding these characteristics is crucial for predicting the behavior of covalent compounds in chemical reactions and their applications in real-world scenarios.

Youtube Videos

Chemical Bonding Class 10 ICSE | Chemical Bonding Ionic and Covalent Compounds | @sirtarunrupani
Chemical Bonding Class 10 ICSE | Chemical Bonding Ionic and Covalent Compounds | @sirtarunrupani
CHEMICAL BONDING in 45 Min | Complete Chapter Mind Map | Class10 ICSE CHEMISTRY
CHEMICAL BONDING in 45 Min | Complete Chapter Mind Map | Class10 ICSE CHEMISTRY
Class 10 CHEMICAL BONDING | Ionic /Electrovalent Bonding | Covalent Bonding | Polar and Non Polar |
Class 10 CHEMICAL BONDING | Ionic /Electrovalent Bonding | Covalent Bonding | Polar and Non Polar |
Chemical Bonding in 15 Minutes | ICSE Class 10 2025 | One Shot | Pranay Mishra
Chemical Bonding in 15 Minutes | ICSE Class 10 2025 | One Shot | Pranay Mishra
CHEMICAL BONDING In One Shot ( Theory + PYQs ) | Class 10 ICSE Board
CHEMICAL BONDING In One Shot ( Theory + PYQs ) | Class 10 ICSE Board
Chemical Bonding | Class 10 Chemistry | Selina Chapter 2 | Hydroxyl, Hydronium ion
Chemical Bonding | Class 10 Chemistry | Selina Chapter 2 | Hydroxyl, Hydronium ion
Chemical Bonding Class 10 ICSE | Chemical Bonding Ionic and Covalent Compounds | @sirtarunrupani
Chemical Bonding Class 10 ICSE | Chemical Bonding Ionic and Covalent Compounds | @sirtarunrupani
Chemical Bonding | Class 10 | ICSE | Part 1
Chemical Bonding | Class 10 | ICSE | Part 1
Chemical Bonding One Shot | Chemical Bonding ICSE Class 10 | Chemistry 2026 |@sirtarunrupani
Chemical Bonding One Shot | Chemical Bonding ICSE Class 10 | Chemistry 2026 |@sirtarunrupani
Chemical Bonding | Class 10 Chemistry Selina Chapter 2 | Covalent Bond, Electron Dot Structure
Chemical Bonding | Class 10 Chemistry Selina Chapter 2 | Covalent Bond, Electron Dot Structure

Audio Book

Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.

Lower Melting and Boiling Points

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

● Lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds.

Detailed Explanation

Covalent compounds generally have lower melting and boiling points than ionic compounds. This is because the forces holding the molecules together in covalent compounds are weaker than the strong ionic bonds found in ionic compounds. In ionic compounds, ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces, requiring more energy (in the form of heat) to break these bonds. In contrast, covalent compounds are held together by covalent bonds, and their intermolecular forces (like van der Waals forces) are weaker, leading to lower melting and boiling points.

Examples & Analogies

Think of making tea. When you boil water (which has a high boiling point due to its ionic properties), it requires quite a bit of heat. Now, think of a soft drink that can fizz at room temperature - it wouldn't take much to change its physical state, just like covalent compounds. That's the difference between ionic and covalent substances!

States of Matter

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

● May be gases, liquids, or solids.

Detailed Explanation

Covalent compounds can exist in various states—gases, liquids, or solids—depending on their molecular structure and the forces acting between their molecules. For example, water (H2O) is a liquid, carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas, and sugar (C12H22O11) is a solid at room temperature. The state of a covalent compound is influenced by the strength of the intermolecular forces and the size of the molecules involved.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine how some substances are different in states based on their properties. Like the water we drink is liquid (H2O), the air we breathe is a gas (CO2 in small amounts), and when we bake cookies, we use sugar, which is solid. All of these substances are made of covalent bonds but differ in their states!

Solubility in Water

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

● Usually insoluble or less soluble in water.

Detailed Explanation

Many covalent compounds are either insoluble or have lower solubility in water compared to ionic compounds. This occurs because covalent compounds do not form ions in solution, which is typically necessary for solubility in polar solvents like water. For example, oils, which are covalent compounds, do not mix with water because the water molecules cannot effectively interact with the larger, non-polar molecules of oil.

Examples & Analogies

Think about how oil and water do not mix. When you try to make a salad dressing with oil and vinegar, the two separate. Oil (a covalent compound) sits on top because it doesn't dissolve in water, showcasing how many covalent compounds behave in aqueous solutions!

Electric Conductivity

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

● Do not conduct electricity (no free ions).

Detailed Explanation

Covalent compounds typically do not conduct electricity when dissolved in water or in their solid state because they do not have free-moving ions. Unlike ionic compounds, where the ions can move freely and carry an electric charge, covalent compounds only share electrons and do not dissociate into ions. Therefore, when it comes to electricity, they are generally insulators, unlike ionic compounds, which can conduct electricity due to their ionization in solution.

Examples & Analogies

Think of an insulated wire that cannot conduct electricity. Just like that wire, many covalent compounds do not let electric current flow through them. For example, if you try to pass electricity through sugar dissolved in water, it won't work. On the other hand, dissolving table salt (an ionic compound) in water allows for electric current to flow!

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Covalent Compounds: Formed by sharing electron pairs.

  • Lower Melting and Boiling Points: Compared to ionic compounds due to weaker forces.

  • Physical States: Can exist as gases, liquids, or solids.

  • Solubility: Often insoluble in water.

  • Electrical Conductivity: Do not conduct electricity because they lack free ions.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Water (H2O): A liquid covalent compound with low boiling and melting points.

  • Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A gas at room temperature, illustrating a covalent compound.

  • Sugar (C12H22O11): A solid covalent compound that is often less soluble in water.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Covalent bonds share, they seldom break air, lower points they declare.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine two friends, Hydrogen and Oxygen, sharing an umbrella (electrons) to keep dry, creating water. They don't need to be solid to stick together!

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • To remember properties: M-S-E-C: Melting points low, States could vary, Electricity none, Conductivity is zero.

🎯 Super Acronyms

COVALENT

  • C: - Can be various states
  • O: - Often low melting points
  • V: - Very low solubility
  • A: - Always no conduction of electricity
  • L: - Lighter than ionic
  • E: - Easily recognized by shared pairs
  • N: - Never dissolved like ionic
  • T: - Typically less dense.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Covalent Compound

    Definition:

    A chemical compound formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

  • Term: Melting Point

    Definition:

    The temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid.

  • Term: Boiling Point

    Definition:

    The temperature at which a liquid becomes a gas.

  • Term: Solubility

    Definition:

    The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent.

  • Term: Electrical Conductivity

    Definition:

    The ability of a substance to conduct electricity.