Characteristics of Covalent Compounds
1. Crystal Structure:
Crystal structure of covalent compounds is
formed from atoms or molecules. Crystal of covalent compounds are divided in
three parts as –
i.
These are crystals of covalent compounds
whose molecule are very small and these molecules are held together by vander
waals forces.
Example:
Sulphur, Iodine.
ii.
These are crystals of covalent compounds
whose molecule are very large due to combination of every atom with other atom
by covalent bonds.
Example: Diamond, Silica.
iii.
These are crystals of covalent compounds
whose have separate layers.
Example: Graphite.
2. Physical Nature:
Due to weaker force of attraction
between the molecules of the covalent compounds, maximum covalent compounds are
gases or liquids but some covalent compounds exist as solid like Urea, Sugar,
Glucose, and Naphthalene.
3. Solubility:
Covalent compounds are not soluble in polar solvents like water but are soluble in non-polar solvent like alcohol, ether, carbon tetra chloride.4. Melting Point and Boiling Point ( MP and BP) :
Melting and boiling
points of covalent compounds are very low because very less energy is required
to overcome the weak force of attraction between the neutral molecules in the
covalent compound. But Diamond and Graphite are exception because they have
very high melting and boiling points.