Question

classify each of the following as characteristic of ionic or covalent bonds. ionic covalent usually dissolves in water high melting point low conductivity involves the sharing of electrons involves the transfer of electrons occurs between two or more nonmetals

Explanation:

To classify the characteristics, we recall the properties of ionic and covalent bonds:

• Ionic Bonds: Formed by electron transfer (between metal and nonmetal), often dissolve in water, have high melting points, and conduct electricity (but the "high melting point" and "electron transfer" and "dissolves in water" fit ionic).
• Covalent Bonds: Formed by electron sharing (between nonmetals), have low conductivity (as solids), and occur between nonmetals.

Ionic Characteristics:

• Usually dissolves in water (ionic compounds often are soluble in water).
• High melting point (ionic compounds have strong electrostatic forces, requiring high energy to melt).
• Involves the transfer of electrons (definition of ionic bonding: metal donates, nonmetal accepts electrons).

Covalent Characteristics:

• Low conductivity (covalent compounds, especially molecular, have low conductivity in solid/liquid states).
• Involves the sharing of electrons (definition of covalent bonding: atoms share electron pairs).
• Occurs between two or more nonmetals (covalent bonds form between nonmetallic elements).

Answer:

Ionic:

• Usually dissolves in water
• High melting point
• Involves the transfer of electrons

Covalent:

• Low conductivity
• Involves the sharing of electrons
• Occurs between two or more nonmetals