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Lesson 7 Properties of Ionic and Molecular Compounds

  Virtual Lab

Conductivity/Solubility of Solids/Solutions @ YouTube BerkeleyChemDemos


Please watch this video. Conductivity is tested for several solids. Then the conductivity is tested again when the substance is put in water. 


Click the procedure tab to continue.

  1. Make a copy of the data table in your notebook.
  2. Based on the chemical formula of each substance, identify the type of substance.
  3. Click on the play icon to open the virtual lab video.
  4. Pause the video to record your observations as each substance is tested.
  5. Click on the analysis tab to complete the analysis questions.

Substance Type of Substance
 Conductivity As
a Solid
 Conductivity When
Put In Water
H2O
Al
C12H22O11
NaCl
SiO2
[CH2]n
C2H6O
Cu
CaCl2
CuSO4



    Substance Type of Substance
    		 Conductivity As
    a Solid
    		 Conductivity When
    Put In Water
    H2O
    		 molecular no
    Al metal yes no
    C12H22O11 molecular no no
    NaCl ionic no yes
    SiO2 molecular no no
    [CH2]n molecular no no
    C2H6O molecular no no
    Cu metal yes no
    CaCl2 ionic no yes
    CuSO4 ionic no yes

  1. What type of substance conducts electricity as a solid?

  2. What type of substance conducts electricity as a solution?

    ionic compounds
  3. What type of substance does not conduct electricity as a solid no a solution?

    molecular compounds


  Read This

Please read pages 51 to 55 in your Science 10 textbook. Make sure you take notes on your readings to study from later. You should focus on the properties of ionic compounds. Remember, if you have any questions or you do not understand something, ask your teacher!

  Practice Questions

Complete the following practice questions to check your understanding of the concept you just learned. Make sure you write complete answers to the practice questions in your notes. After you have checked your answers, make corrections to your responses (where necessary) to study from.

  1. Based on the properties for each of the substances listed, identify if it would be ionic or molecular.

    1. This substance melts at 800 °C, has a pink colour, and is a hard crystal.

    2. This substance is a liquid at room temperature and is flammable.

      molecular
    3. This substance is an easily crushed white solid that melts at 48 °C.

      molecular
Use the following diagrams to answer the next question.

A B
B7.7 Solution that lights up a light bulb
B7.8 Solution that does not light up a light bulb

  1. Identify the results—A or B—that would be expected if each of the following solutions was tested.

    Solution Result
    LiF(aq)
    C6H12O6
    NH4Cl(aq)

    Solution Result Explanation
    LiF(aq) A Li is a metal and F is a non-metal, so this is an ionic compound that will produce a conducting solution.
    C6H12O6 B C, H, and O are all non-metals, so this is a molecular compound that will produce a solution that does not conduct electricity.
    NH4Cl(aq) A NH4 is a polyatomic cation and Cl is a non-metal, so this is an ionic compound that will produce a conducting solution.