PHYSICAL

PROPERTIES

IONIC COMP

COVALENT COMPOUND

METAL

SIMPLE MOLECULES

IODINE

DIAMOND

GRAPHITE

STRUCTURE

oppositely charged ions

arranged in a giant
crystal lattice.

Molecules are attached

with each other by
covalent bonding

Iodine molecules are

covalently linked with
each other arranged in
a lattice and then
bonded to each other
through weak intermolecular bonds.

Each carbon is
covalently attached
with 4 other carbon
atoms in a
tetrahedral
arrangement in a
giant crystal lattice

Each carbon is
covalently attached
with 3 other carbon
atom in a hexagonal
ring in a giant
crystal lattice

Strong force of
attraction between
positively charged
metal ions and
negatively charged
sea of delocalized
electron

M.P & B.P

HIGH DUE TO: many

(ionic) bonds / giant
structure
Hard to break bonds/
need a lot of energy to
break bonds.

LOW DUE TO:

strong covalent bonds but
weak intermolecular forces
b/w molecules
small amount of energy
is needed to effect the
state changes.

It sublimes

HARD DUE TO: ions

more closely packed

nil

nil

ELECTRICAL
CONDUCTIVITY

in solid ions not free to

move (1)
when molten ions free
to move (1)

NON CONDUCTOR;

NON CONDUCTOR;

HIGH DUE TO:

Many covalent
bonds through out
the structure / giant
structure
Hard to
breakbonds/ need a
lot of energy to
breakbonds
SOFT DUE TO:
layers / atoms less
closely packed
CONDUCTOR;
electrons can
move / has
delocalised
electrons

HIGH DUE TO:

strong metallic
bonding through
out the lattice
Hard to
breakbonds/ need a
lot of energy to
breakbonds

STRENGTH

HIGH DUE TO:

Many covalent
bonds through out
the structure / giant
structure
Hard to
breakbonds/ need a
lot of energy to
breakbonds
HARD DUE
TO: atoms more
closely packed
NONCONDUCTOR;
no free electrons

LUBRICANT

NIL

NIL

NIL

NIL

weak forces between

layers / van der Waals
forces between
layers ; [1]
layers can slide / slip ;
[1]
NOT: atoms slide over
each other

MALLEABLE &
DUCTILE

USES

nil
CONDUCTOR;
electrons can move
/ has delocalised
electrons/ has sea
of electrons
NIL

idea of layers sliding

when force applied
(1)
The hardness of
diamond enables it
to be used as the
'leading edge' on
cutting tools.

Graphite is used in
electrical contacts e.g.
electrodes in
electrolysis.
Graphite is used as a

lubricant.

Posted 7th May 2013