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Covalent and Ionic Properties Lab
Covalent and Ionic Properties Lab
Covalent and Ionic Properties Lab
Low volatility
Strong Bonds
Soluble in water
High Melting Point
Form a crystal lattice
Form between metal and nonmetal
High volatility
Weak bonds
Insoluble in water
Low melting point
Form a molecule
Form between two nonmetals
Procedure:
1. Volatility Carefully smell each compound. If you can detect an odor, assume that the compound has a
high volatility. Record as high or low volatility.
2. Melting Point Tonight for HW, you will look up the melting point for each substance, and write in the
space provided.
3. Solubility in Water First fill your small beaker to 40 mL of water. USING THE SCUPULA, scoop one
small scoop into the beaker of water. Try to be as accurate as possible. Stir with a stirring rod (rinsed
between each sample) and record how likely the substance is to dissolve in water (does the substance
disappear). Record high or low solubility.
4. Conductivity Test- The conductivity tester is placed into the solution and the tester is turned on. If the
solution conducts electricity, the light bulb will light up and the substance is a good conductor. If the
solution does not conduct electricity, the light will not go on and the substance is a non-conductor. If the
light bulb is dim, the solution is considered a poor conductor. Record "good conductor" "poor conductor"
or "non-conductor" for each sample on the data sheet you created.
5. Appearance- Covalent compounds are soft and squishy because they have low boiling points. Ionic
compounds are hard and brittle because of the strong bonds that hold them together.
Data Table
Substance
Observations/
Appearance (soft
or brittle?)
Chemical
Formula
Volatility
(High or
low)
Melting
Point
(Actual
Melting
Point
(High or
Solubility
(High or
low)
Conductivity
(Good, Poor,
or None)
Low)
Stearic Acid
Cupric Sulfate
Sodium
Chloride
Zinc Chloride
Sodium Borate
Tetra
Calcium
Chloride
Magnesium
Oxide
Sodium
Bicarbonate
Sugar
Zinc Oxide
Oil
Benzoic Acid
Analysis Questions:
Decide if each substance is ionic or covalent. Provide a reason for your answer.
Stearic Acid:
Cupric Sulfate:
Sodium Chloride:
Zinc Chloride:
Calcium Chloride:
Magnesium Oxide:
Sodium Bicarbonate:
Sugar:
Zinc Oxide:
Oil:
Benzoic Acid: