Chemical structure Property Diagram

 Ionic network  High melting and boiling points – strong

(eg. NaCl lattice)
 Covalent
network/macromolecules
/giant lattices
(eg. diamond, silicon dioxide)
electrostatic bonds between particles
 Poor conductors of electricity when solid – no free
moving particles
 Good conductors of electricity when molten – ions
are free to move and carry charge
 Good conductors of electricity when dissolved in a
solvent (eg. water) – water molecules break lattice
structure and ions are free to move and carry
charge
 Extremely high melting and boiling points
 Hard – strong covalent bonds extending
throughout the lattice
 Poor conductor of heat/electricity – no mobile ions
or free electrons
 Most include carbon or silicon
 Can occur in both elements and compounds

 Covalent molecule  Relatively low melting and boiling points – while

(eg. solid CO2) intramolecular forces are strong, intermolecular
dispersion forces are weak
 Not hard – usually liquids or gases
 Poor conductor of heat/electricity – no mobile ions
or free electrons
 Can occur in both elements and compounds

 Metallic  High melting and boiling points – positive metal

(eg. Cu, Al) ions and sea of electrons form strong metallic
bonds
 Malleable and ductile – rows of metal ions slide
over each other
 Good conductors of electricity – outer shell
electrons are free and carry current
 Shiny lustre – sea of electrons reflect light