Christian Lara 11/8/12 Period: 6

Ionic vs. Covalent Bonding Lab Investigation Introduction:

Most atoms are never found by themselves; instead they are bonded to other atoms in ionic or covalent bonds. This is because the atoms want to be stable as much as possible. In order to do so, the atoms must have a full shell by either sharing or transferring valence electrons. If two nonmetals bond, the nonmetals form a covalent bond. In a covalent bond, electrons are being shared with each other. If a metal and a nonmetal bond, they form an ionic bond. In an ionic bond, electrons are being transferred. Ionic bonds can only conduct electricity if theyre dissolved in water. Covalent bonds cant conduct electricity whatsoever. Hypotheses: Table 1: The expected results of testing five different chemicals Compounds to Chemical Hypothesis 1: Hypothesis 2: Hypothesis 3: be Tested Formula Ionic or High or Low Will it conduct Covalent? Melting Point? electricity? Distilled (pure) H2O Covalent Low No water Sodium NaCl Ionic High Only when Chloride dissolved Sucrose C12H22O11 Covalent Low No (Sugar) Dextrose C6H12O6 Covalent Low No Sodium Sulfate NaSO4 Ionic High Only when dissolved

Procedures: PART I. Melting Point and Strength of Bonds 1. Fold an aluminum foil into a square thatll fit on a ring-stand. Place a small portion of each of the four different compounds on each corner of the aluminum foil. 2. Place the tray on the ring-stand then heat with the Bunsen burner.

3. Record detailed observations, keeping track of the order in which the compounds melt. 4. Allow the square of foil to cool and then throw the aluminum foil in the trashcan. PART II. Electrical Conductivity With the tester, test the dry compound for conductivity and record observations. 1. Add drops of pure water to dissolve the compound. 2. Test the dissolved compound for conductivity with the tester. After the test, wash the tester with pure water. 3. Repeat for all of the compounds.

Results: Table 2: The results of testing five different chemical substances Name/Chemical Formula PART I: Melting Point (1-5; High, Med. Or Low?) PART II: FINAL CONCLUSION: Conducted Ionic or Covalent Bonds? Electricity? (Yes/No) Dry Dissolved N/A No No No No No Yes No No Yes Covalent Ionic Covalent Covalent Ionic

1.) Distilled (Pure) Water/ H2O 2.) Sodium Chloride/NaCl 3.) Sucrose (sugar)/ C12H22O11 4.) Dextrose/ C6H12O6 5.) Sodium Sulfate/ NaSO4

1 5 3 4 2

CONCLUSION: After the laboratory, it was concluded that sodium chloride and sodium sulfate were ionic compounds, while distilled water, sucrose, and dextrose were covalent compounds. All of my initial hypotheses were correct. From the results, the ionic compounds were those that conducted electricity in water and had high melting points.

Ionic bonds are formed from metal cations and non-metal anions so when they dissolved in water, electricity can flow through the solution. Additionally, ionic bonds are very strong since the nonmetal portion has a high electronegativity and the metal portion has low ionization energy. This is due to the ionic bonds crystal lattice structure and the electrostatic attraction. However, the covalent compounds did not conduct electricity whatsoever and had low melting points. Covalent bonds are formed from two nonmetals, which means that they cannot conduct electricity. Additionally, covalent bonds are very weak since both nonmetals have a high electronegativity. This is due to the covalent bonds molecule structure and its low melting point. The purpose of this lab report was to learn because its all about the learning.