 F4-CHEM Name: ( ) Ch_9.

2 Structures and properties of simple molecular substances

Simple Molecular Structures

 Most non-metals (e.g. _____, _____) and covalent compounds (e.g. ________, _________) are composed of simple, discrete
molecules. These substances have s________ m__________ s____________.

Structure of solid carbon dioxide (dry ice), CO2(s)

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Note: Under room conditions,

carbon dioxide is a gas. When
carbon dioxide gas is placed
under temperatures below –
78.5°C, it changes to a solid
called dry ice directly without
going through the liquid state.

Figure 9.3 In the structure of dry ice, CO2 molecules are held together by weak van der Waals’ forces. Within each
CO2 molecule, the atoms are held together by strong covalent bonds.

Structure of iodine, I2(s)

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Figure 9.4 In the crystal structure of iodine, I2 molecules are held together by weak van der Waals’ forces in a
regular pattern. Repetition of this pattern trillions of times would result in a crystal.

Properties of substances with a simple molecular structure

1. They have low melting points and boiling points.  at r.t.p., they gases, volatile liquids or solids with low m.p.
 Because their molecules are held together only by ............................................................................................................ ,
little heat energy is needed to separate the molecules.
2. Solids with a simple molecular structure are soft.
 Intermolecular forces are .......................... . It is easy to separate the molecules and break down the crystal structure.
3. Solids with a simple molecular structure are usually slightly soluble or insoluble in water, but soluble in non-aqueous solvents.
 Iodine is only slightly soluble in water but very soluble in heptane, a non-aqueous solvent. ........................................ ✓
4. They are usually non-conductors of electricity.
 This is because they do not contain __________ ions or _______________ electrons to conduct electricity.
However, the aqueous solutions of a few molecular substances (e.g. HCl(aq), NH3(aq)) conduct electricity because mobile
ions form when they dissolve in water. ......................................................................................................................... ✓

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 Constituent particles (atoms / molecules / ions) Bonding  Structure  Properties  Uses 

Class practices 9.1

1. Explain why iodine is a solid, bromine is a liquid, while chlorine and fluorine are gases under room conditions.
(Hint: You may answer the question with reference to the van der Waals’ forces between the molecules and the learning tip.)

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✓ Iodine, bromine, chlorine and fluorine have simple molecular structures and their molecules are held together by weak
intermolecular forces called van der Waals’ forces. The larger the molecular size, the stronger is the van der Waals’
forces between molecules. The molecular sizes of the substances are: I2 > Br2 > Cl2 > F2. Therefore, the strength of the
van der Waals’ forces are: I2 > Br2 > Cl2 > F2.

2. Answer the following questions concerning sulphur.

(a) What is the type of bonding between the atoms in a sulphur molecule?

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(b) What are the attractive forces that hold sulphur molecules together?

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(c) Is sulphur a high-melting or low-melting solid? Explain briefly.

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(d) Does sulphur conduct electricity? Explain briefly.

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(e) Is sulphur soluble in water?  .............................................................................................................................................

3. Nitrogen has a very low melting point (−210C) and boiling point (−196C).
(a) Suggest a method to obtain nitrogen from air.

 .......................................................................................................................... ✓ Fractional distillation of liquid air

(b) Draw the electron diagram of nitrogen, showing electrons in the outermost shells only.

(c) Explain why nitrogen has a very low melting point and boiling point.

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(d) Even at a high temperature (e.g. 3000C), only a small proportion of nitrogen molecules are decomposed into atoms.
Explain why.

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✓ In a nitrogen molecule, the two nitrogen atoms are joined by strong triple covalent bond. Therefore, a large
amount of energy is required to break the molecules into atoms.