8.2.

5: The Chemical Earth Bonds and Properties

8.2.5 The Chemical Earth: Bonding and

Structure
8.2.5 The properties of elements and compounds are
determined by their bonding and structure
8.2.4-LT1:Identify differences between physical and chemical
properties of elements, compounds and mixtures
8.2.4-LT2:Describe the physical properties used to classify compounds
as ionic or covalent molecular or covalent network
Chemistry 1 readings and exercises: pp. 92 94

Physical and chemical properties

Since all chemical are not alike in all respects, we can use a chemicals physical and
chemical properties to distinguish it from another
Chemical properties: the properties relating to the chemical reaction of a substance
with other chemicals (such as acids, bases and oxidising agents)
Properties that relate to the ability of a substance to form new
substances
Physical properties: properties that can be determined WITHOUT the changing of
chemical composition of a substance

Table 1 Physical and chemical properties (from

Chemistry Contexts 1, p. 82)

Table 2 Physical properties of crystal lattices

(from Chemistry 1, p. 93)
 8.2.5: The Chemical Earth Bonds and Properties

Comparison of properties of compounds and their constituent elements

A compound is formed when different elements become bonded to one another
Chemical reactions are associated with the formation of a compound, which reflect a
change in the arrangement of elements of which the compound is composed
The composition of a compound is definite i.e. it is always the same
This contrasts with that of a mixture, whose composition (and associated properties) varies
with its composition
Law of constant composition: the composition of a compound is the same
regardless of its source or method of preparation

Table 3 Comparison of the properties of lead, sulfur and lead(II) sulfide (from Chemistry Contexts 1, p.
83)

8.2.4-LT3:Distinguish between metallic, ionic and covalent bonds

Structure and bonding in substances
All substances are composed of atoms, molecular or ions, whose structure is
determined by:
The nature of the particle present
The forces (interactions) holding the particle together
The physical properties of a substances provides insight into the substances
structure, these properties include (REVISION):
Melting and boiling points
Electrical conductivity (as solids or molten)
8.2.5: The Chemical Earth Bonds and Properties

Physical properties can be used to

classify compounds into 3 groups or
types of lattice:
1. Ionic compounds
2. Covalent molecular compounds
3. Covalent network compounds

Figure 1 Particle diagrams of crystal lattice

groups (from Chemistry 1, p. 93)

Figure 2 The classification of substances on the

basis of their physical properties (from
Chemistry Contexts 1, p. 84)

8.2.4-LT4:Describe metals as three-dimensional lattices of ions in a

sea of electrons
Chemistry 1 readings and exercises: pp. 94-95

Metallic lattices and properties

Table 4 Properties of metallic lattices (from Chemistry 1, p. 95)

8.2.5: The Chemical Earth Bonds and Properties

Model of a metallic crystal

Positive metal ions are arranged in a regular 3D lattice
Properties of metals:
Relatively high densities (as the metal cations are tightly packed)
Good conductors of heat and electricity
Malleable
Lustrous
High melting and boiling points
A cloud or sea of delocalised electrons (DEF.: electrons that are not bound to any
one atom, but are free to move throughout the lattice) moves throughout the lattice
Valence electrons become the delocalised electrons
Accounts for the electrical and thermal conductivity
Delocalised electrons have been lost from the valence shell of each metal atom and
belong to the lattice as a whole
How does this relate to conductivity?
The attraction between the positive metal ions and the delocalised electrons stabilises
the lattice
Electrostatic attractions between the metal ion an the delocalised electrons
maintain the structure of the metallic lattice
The attraction between the metal ions and electron cloud is called the metallic bond
(DEF.: a strong attractive force that holds metal ions in their crystal lattice; the
attraction between metal ions and the sea of mobile electrons)

Figure 3 Metallic bonding (from Chemistry Contexts 1,p. 89)

8.2.5: The Chemical Earth Bonds and Properties

8.2.4-LT5:Describe ionic compounds in terms of repeating three-

dimensional lattices of ions
8.2.4-LT6:Explain why the formula for an ionic compound is an
empirical formula
8.2.4-LT8:Explain the relationship between the properties of
conductivity and hardness and the structure of ionic,
covalent molecular and covalent network structures
Chemistry 1 readings: pp. 96-97

Ionic lattices and properties

Characteristic of ionic crystals: Ionic lattices (in their solid form) do NOT
have delocalised electrons (as ions,
Continuous 3D arrangement of
which are charged particles, do not
cations (+ve) and anions (-ve)
have the opportunity to move)
The attraction between cations and
Poor conductors of electricity
anions is known as an ionic bond
When made molten and dissolved
Ionic bonds are (generally) strong (so the movement of ions is
chemical bonds possible) they become good
Ionic bonds are the result of the conductors
electrostatic attraction of o Molten salts or ionic
oppositely charged ions solutions
They account for:
o The high melting points of
ionic solids
o The hardness of ionic
crystals
Strong shear forces force like charge to
come into close contact
This leads to strong repulsive
forces (recall like charges are Figure 4 Calcium carbonate - an example of an
repulsed) ionic lattice (from Chemistry 1, p. 96)
Explains the shattering (when
hammered), and their brittle
nature
Figure 5 The brittle nature of ionic solids (from Chemistry Contexts 1, p. 87)
Empirical formulae
The empirical formula of a compound represents its atomic or ionic composition
expressed as a simple whole number ratio
Covalent molecular compounds
E.g. Ethane
molecular formula: C2H6
ratio of C to H: 2:6 = 1:3
empirical formula: CH3
Ionic compounds
Discrete molecules (like molecular compounds) are NOT observed
Chemists use a unit cell (DEF.: the simplest repeating unit within an ionic
crystal) to determine an ionic compounds empirical formula
When write the chemical formula of an ionic compound, we are writing its
empirical formula
I.e.: chemical formula = empirical formula

8.2.4-LT7:Identify common elements that exist as molecules or as

covalent lattices
8.2.4-LT8:Explain the relationship between the properties of
conductivity and hardness and the structure of ionic,
covalent molecular and covalent network structures
Chemistry 1 readings: pp. 97-98

Covalent network lattices and properties

The group IV/14 elements carbon and silicon exist as covalent network lattices
Covalent network compounds (e.g. silicon dioxide SiO2; silicon carbide SiC) are
arranged in 3D structure, which are linked by covalent bonds
This 3D arrangement of strong covalent bonds is the key to its properties
They form strong and rigid structures, which accounts for their strong and rigid
structure
Properties:
Hard properties
Brittle (shatter under strong shearing forces)
High melting points (e.g. carbon/diamond)
Non-conductors of electricity (no free electrons) in both solid and molten states
(There are some exceptions carbon/graphite, which contains free electrons
along a single axis of its lattice, unlike carbon/diamond)
Highly insoluble in common solvents (including water)
Chemically inert (i.e. are non-reactive)
Figure 6 Covalent network structure of silicon dioxide and graphite (from Chemistry 1, p. 98)

Covalent molecular substances

Chemistry 1 readings: p. 98
Components of these substances are bound via covalent bonds
Often each substance provides an electron to be shared
Other times a coordinate covalent bond (DEF.: a pair of electrons is donated
by a single atom) is formed
Examples of covalent molecular substances include:
Oxygen (O2)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Water (H2O)
Properties:
Low melting and boiling points
o The melting and boiling points of these substances are low since the force
between individual molecules is (relatively) weak
Non-conductors of electricity (in both solid and molten states)
o Lack mobile charges particles
Form soft solids, which have a waxy appearance
o A reflection of the relatively weak forces between individual molecules
Covalent molecular lattices and properties
Covalent molecular lattices contain discrete molecule arranged in various geometric
patterns
e.g. dry ice (solid CO2); ice (solid H2O)
Molecules are held together via intermolecular forces (which are weaker than ionic
and covalent bonds observed in ionic lattices and covalent network lattices,
respectively)
This small amounts of energy is required to break these bonds
Properties:
Low melting points
Soft, reformable crystals
Poor electrical conductors (lacking mobile charge carriers)

Figure 7 The covalent molecular structure of carbon dioxide and iodine (from Chemistry 1, p. 98)