Question

covalent bonding
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time remai
57:15
which characteristic best explains the difference in melting behavior of covalent substances and ionic substances?
ionic substances have weaker intermolecular attractions.
ionic substances usually have stronger atomic bonds.
covalent substances have weaker intermolecular attractions.
covalent substances usually have stronger atomic bonds.

Explanation:

Ionic substances form crystal lattices with strong electrostatic ionic bonds (intramolecular) holding ions together, requiring high energy to melt. Covalent molecular substances have strong covalent atomic bonds within molecules, but weak intermolecular forces between molecules, so they melt at lower temperatures. The key difference in melting behavior stems from these intermolecular force strengths, not the intramolecular atomic bonds.

Answer:

Covalent substances have weaker intermolecular attractions.