Types of Compounds & Properties
Related Examples and Practice Problems
Additional Worked Out Examples/ Practice
Identifying classification types: Differentiation between elements, compounds or mixtures and homogeneous and heterogenous mixtures
Separation techniques: Selected and explaining limitation of appropriate separation
Relating Properties to Composition: Predicting classification based on descriptive properties
Topic Summary & Highlights
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Core Concept
Compounds are classified based on the types of bonds that hold their atoms together and their resulting structures. Understanding the different types of compounds—such as ionic, covalent, metallic, and network covalent compounds—helps us predict their physical and chemical properties, like melting and boiling points, conductivity, and solubility. Each type of compound has unique characteristics that arise from the nature of the interactions between its constituent particles.
Practice Tips
Ionic Compounds: High melting points, soluble in water, conduct electricity when molten or dissolved, formed from metal and nonmetal in a lattice structure.
Covalent Compounds: Low melting points, poor conductivity, solubility depends on polarity, formed by nonmetals sharing electrons.
Metallic Compounds: High melting points, malleable, ductile, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, formed with delocalized electrons around metal ions.
Covalent Network Solids: Extremely high melting points, hard, poor conductors, consist of atoms in a lattice held by covalent bonds.
Electrical Conductivity: Ionic compounds conduct in molten/aqueous states, covalent compounds rarely conduct, metallic compounds are excellent conductors.
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Core Concept
| Type | Composition | Properties | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ionic Compound | Metal + Nonmetal | High melting/boiling points, conductive when molten or dissolved, brittle | NaCl, MgO |
| Covalent Compound | Nonmetals | Low melting/boiling points, generally non-conductive, can be gases, liquids, or solids | CO₂, H₂O |
| Metallic Compound | Metals | Conductive in solid state, malleable, ductile, high melting points | Fe, Cu, alloys |
| Network Covalent | Nonmetals or Metalloids | Very high melting points, hard, non-conductive (except graphite), often brittle | Diamond, SiO₂ |