Covalent Substances

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Explain the properties of simple molecular covalent substances.
The atoms make very strong covalent bonds to form small molecules, but the forces of attraction between these molecules are weak. This means that their melting and boiling points are very low. Most are gases or liquids at room temperature.
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Do simple molecular covalent substances conduct electricity?
No, because there are no ions.
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Explain some properties of giant molecular substances.
All the atoms are bonded by strong covalent bonds and they have very high melting and boiling points. Except for graphite, they don't conduct electricity. They are normally insoluble in water.
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Diamond is..
Diamond is the hardest natural substance. It forms four covalent bonds in a rigid giant structure which makes diamond really hard. It doesn't conduct electricity as there are no free electrons.
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Graphite is..
Graphite is a good conductor of electricity, as each carbon atoms only forms three covalent bonds, creating sheets of atoms which are free to slide over each other. This also means there are lots of delocalised electrons so it can conduct well.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Do simple molecular covalent substances conduct electricity?

Back

No, because there are no ions.

Card 3

Front

Explain some properties of giant molecular substances.

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Diamond is..

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Graphite is..

Back

Preview of the front of card 5

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