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Key Concepts in Chemistry

Properties of simple molecular substances, and forms of carbon

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Overview

Why simple molecular substances melt low and do not conduct, how molecule size affects boiling point, intermolecular forces, and why diamond and graphite are giant covalent forms of carbon.

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Key term

Why do simple molecular substances have low melting and boiling points?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Why do simple molecular substances have low melting and boiling points?

    Model answer

    Only the weak intermolecular forces between the molecules have to be overcome, and this needs little energy.

  2. 2

    When a simple molecular substance boils, are the covalent bonds inside the molecules broken?

    Model answer

    No, only the forces between the molecules are overcome.

  3. 3

    Why are simple molecular substances poor conductors of electricity?

    Model answer

    Their molecules have no overall charge, so there are no free electrons or ions to carry a current.

  4. 4

    How does the size of a molecule affect the boiling point of a simple molecular substance?

    Model answer

    Larger molecules have stronger forces between them, so the boiling point is higher.

  5. 5

    Explain why iodine sublimes gently on warming while sodium chloride must be heated very strongly to melt.

    Model answer

    Iodine molecules are held together only by weak intermolecular forces, whereas sodium chloride has strong forces between ions throughout its lattice.

  6. 6

    What term describes the weak attractions that act between separate molecules?

    Model answer

    Intermolecular forces.

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Key Concepts in Chemistry
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AChlorine is a pale green gas at room temperature.
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