Which of the following best explains why molecular compounds tend have lower melting points than ionic compounds? A) Molecular compounds are held together by covalent bonds, and ionic compounds are held together by ionic bonds. Covalent bonds tend to be weaker than ionic, so less energy is required to break covalent bonds than ionic. Thus, molecular melting points are lower
States of Matter
The substance that constitutes everything in the universe is known as matter. Matter comprises atoms which in turn are composed of electrons, protons, and neutrons. Different atoms combine together to give rise to molecules that act as a foundation for all kinds of substances. There are five states of matter based on their energies of attraction, namely solid, liquid, gases, plasma, and BEC (Bose-Einstein condensates).
Chemical Reactions and Equations
When a chemical species is transformed into another chemical species it is said to have undergone a chemical reaction. It consists of breaking existing bonds and forming new bonds by changing the position of electrons. These reactions are best explained using a chemical equation.
Which of the following best explains why molecular compounds tend have lower melting
points than ionic compounds?
A)
Molecular compounds are held together by covalent bonds, and ionic compounds are held
together by ionic bonds. Covalent bonds tend to be weaker than ionic, so less energy is
required to break covalent bonds than ionic. Thus, molecular melting points are lower.
B)
Molecular compounds are held together by covalent bonds, and ionic compounds are held
together by ionic bonds. However, it is the noncovalent intermolecular forces that break
when molecular compounds melt, which tend to be weaker and require less energy to
break than ionic bonds. Thus, molecular melting points are lower.
C)
Molecular compounds are made only of nonmetal atoms, and ionic compounds are made of
metal and nonmetal atoms. The covalent bonds between nonmetal atoms are weaker than
they are between metal and nonmetal atoms, so less energy is needed to break nonmetal-
nonmetal bonds. Thus, molecular melting points are lower.
D)
Molecular compounds are made only of nonmetal atoms, and ionic compounds are made of
metals and nonmetals. The electronegativity difference between metals and nonmetals is
larger than between nonmetals, so there are weaker dipole-dipole forces in molecular
compounds, which need less energy to break. Thus, molecular melting points are lower.
E)
Molecular compounds are made only of nonmetal atoms, and ionic compounds are made of
metals and nonmetals. Nonmetals have smaller atomic radii than metals, so the LDFs in
molecular compounds are weaker. Thus, molecular melting points are lower.
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