Ms Moore Chemistry

Lab #2 Distinguishing Between Ionic and Covalent Compounds

Purpose: Use physical properties to distinguish between ionic and covalent compounds

Background: Up to this point everyone has learned that compounds are atoms held together by
chemical bonds. Ionic and covalent compounds are held together by two basic types of bonds- ionic and
covalent. Ionic bonds occur when electrons are transferred back and forth from one atom to another.
Covalent bonds occur when atoms are shared usually between to nonmetals.
Covalent and Ionic compounds give off different physical properties such as melting point,
conductivity and solubility can tell us about the type of bond occurring in the compound. Ionic
compounds are formed from ions( atoms with electrical charges). When these compounds are dissolved
in water they tend to conduct electricity. Ionic compounds in the solid phase have a large amount of
attraction, which raises their melting point. As the chemist each of you will classify the compounds given
to you as either ionic or covalent based on their physical properties.
Hypothesis: (you need to determine this) think about the properties of ionic vs covalent.

Compounds used in this lab

Sucrose Potassium Iodide Copper(II) Sulfate Sodium Chloride

Dextrose Salicylic Acid Paraffin Unknown
Calcium Chloride Citric Acid Distilled Water

A) For the compounds above you must rewrite this chart in your lab book with the correct

formulas. For dextrose, sucrose, salicylic acid and paraffin you must look up the correct

chemical formulas.

B) I want you to determine a hypothesis based on your knowledge of ionic properties and

covalent properties.
Ms Moore Chemistry

Name:______________________ Date:__________

Period:________

Pre Lab:

A) Fill in the following chart by prediction the following. Give an educated guess using

what you know about ionic and covalent compounds. For Solubility, melting point and

conductivity just give me a yes or a no.

B) Hypothesis:

Prediction of Results

Compound Description Relative Solubility Solution

Melting Point Conductivity

C) Ionic Compounds contain what?

D) What are two properties of Covalent Compounds?

E) Why do we test the conductivity to determine if the compound is ionic or covalent?

F) What does testing the melting point show us?

Ms Moore Chemistry

Procedures:

Safety:

1) Some of these compounds are dangerous and poisonous. Goggles are to be worn at all

times

2) If you spill chemicals on your skin, rinse it off and call me over.

3) Fire will be part of this procedure, therefore if anyone horseplays it will be a zero.

4) If you break or spill anything do not try to clean it up let me know.

Melting Point determinations

1) Obtain a small sample of each compound ( no more than a tip on the scoop) in separate

wells in a well plate. Record a description of each compound

2) Cover the iron ring stand with a single layer of aluminum foil. Using a tip gently put small

divots in the aluminum foil to place the compounds. This will serve as the place to put your

chemicals. Spread the chemicals far enough out so that they do not run into each other

once melted.

3) Place the ring on the ring stand. Adjust the geight so that once the burner is lit the flame

does not touch the foil.

4) Place a few crystals of each compounds in the foil. Remember which compound is which. Do

not let the compounds touch

5) Light the Bunsen burner. Make adjustments to the flame. Record order of melting in your

notebook.

6) Turn off the burner and make sure the gas is turned off
 Ms Moore Chemistry

Solubility in water

1 ) obtain a well plate and place a couple of crystals of each compound into a well plate. Put 10 drops of

distilled water into each well plate and stir with a toothpick to observe solubility

2 ) record the results.

Conductivity

1) Use the solutions from your solubility section. Dip the electrodes into the solution. If it lights up

then it produces an electrical current. If it does not light up, it does not produce an electrical

current.

2) Make sure you wipe off the electrode each time

Post lab questions( Copy in lab notebook)

A) Where your results correct?

B) Calculate the percent error for melting point given the correct melting point for the

compounds(9) % errors.

C) What were two possible sources of error. Do not put human error.

D) What was your unknown and how did you know?

Ms Moore Chemistry

E) Results

Compound Description Relative Solubility Solution

Melting Point Conductivity