Ionic and covalent compounds

• Ionic bonds are formed between metals and non-metals.

• Ionic compounds consist of many oppositely charged ions held
together strongly to form a crystal lattice.
• A covalent compound is made up of separate, single molecules.
• In a covalent compound, there is a fairly weak attraction
between the individual molecules.

Ioniccompounds Covalent compounds

• Consist of crystal lattices
• Usually crystalline solids
• High melting and boiling
points
• Usually soluble in water
• Conduct electricity when melted or in
solution
Consist of separate molecules
Usually liquids or gases
Low melting and boiling points
Usually insoluble in water
Do not conduct electricity

The kind of bonding in a compound has a large effect on its properties.

Sodium chloride (NaCl) and magnesium oxide (MgO) are
examples of ionic compounds. An ionic compound is formed when a
metal reacts with a non-metal. An example is sodium (Na) reacting
with chlorine (Cl) and forming the ions Na+¹ and Cl-¹. The positive and
negative ions are strongly attracted to each other. The positive sodium
ion is also attracted very strongly to any other negative chlorine ions
that are near it. Similarly, the negative chloride ion is strongly
attracted to other positive sodium ions close by. This leads to the
formation of a giant crystal structure in which each sodium ion is
surrounded by six chloride ions, and each chloride ions is surrounded
by six sodium ions. This regular arrangement of ions, all strongly held
together, is called a crystal lattice.
A covalent compound, such as water (H2O), or methane (CH4),
is made up of separate, individual molecules. The atoms in each
molecule are held together by covalent bonds. The covalent bond
between the atoms within a molecule is very strong, but there is a
much weaker attraction between the molecules. The most common
covalent compound is water.