Ionic vs.

Covalent Bonding Lab Investigation Introduction: Most atoms are never found by themselves; instead they are bonded to other atoms in an ionic bond or covalent bonds. This is because each of the atoms have to share and transfer electrons in order to have a full shell to make the atom stable. In covalent bonding, the electrons are being shared among each of the atoms. In ionic bonding, valence electrons are being transferred from metals to nonmetals. Since metals have low ionization energy, they lose electrons and become cations. Nonmetals have high ionization energy the atom gains electrons and becomes an anion. This goes to show how the atom gets its full valence shell. The covalent bonds have no ions since they share electrons, however the ionic bonds have cations and anions because electrons are being transported. These cations and anions are being held together by electrostatic attraction. When dissolved in water, the ionic crystal Furthermore, in covalent bonds the atoms form molecules while in ionic bonds the atoms forms a crystal lattice. In order for the bonds to be held together it is done with the electrostatic attraction. Hypotheses: Table 1:The expected results of testing five different chemicals substances Compounds Chemical Hypothesis 1: Hypothesis 2: Hypothesis 3: to be Tested Formula Ionic or High or Low Will it conduct Covalent Melting Point electricity? Distilled H2O Covalent Low No (pure) water Sodium NaCl Ionic High Yes Chloride Sucrose (Sugar) Dextrose C12H22O11 C6H12O6 Covalent Covalent Low Low No No

Sodium Sulfate NaSO4

Ionic

High

Yes

Procedures: Part I: Melting Point and Strength of Bond 1. Fold aluminum foil into a square, so it can neatly fit around the ringstand. Place small proportions of each of the 4 different types of compounds on the aluminum foil. Be careful and mindful not to mix the four items. 2. Carefully place the tray on the ring stand and heat it with the Bunsen Burner. (Make sure its no longer than 1-2 min) 3. Quickly begin to record down detailed observations, keep track of the order in which each of the compounds melt and which ones have weak or strong bonds? 4. Let the square foil cool down and wash I off into the sink. Part II: Electrical Conductivity 1. Test the dry compound for conductivity with the tester, make sure to record observations with and (Yes or No) 2. Add drops of distilled water to dissolve the compound. 3. Test the solution for conductivity with the tester, make sure to record observations (Yes or No). Make sure to wash the conductivity tester with the distilled water after each time it is used. 4. Repeat for all four samples. Results: Table 2: The results of testing five different samples Name/ Chemical Part I: Melting Part II: Con duct FINAL Formula: Point (1-5; Electricity? (Yes/ CONCLUSION High, Med. or No) Low?) Ionic or Dry Dissolve Covalent Bonds? 1. Distilled (pure) 1= Lowest N/A No Covalent Water/H2O (Already melted) 2. Sodium Chloride 5 No Yes Ionic /NaCl

3. Sucrose (sugar)/ C6H12O11 4. Dextrose/C6H12O6 5. Sodium Sulfate / NaSO4

4 2 3

No No No

No No No

Covalent Covalent Ionic

Conclusion: After this laboratory it was concluded that sodium chloride and sodium sulfate were ionic compounds, while sucrose and dextrose water were covalent compounds. All of the initial hypotheses were correct except when the ionic compounds were in a solid the compound wouldnt conduct electricity. From the results, the ionic compounds were those that conducted electricity in water and had high melting points (strong bonds). However, the covalent compounds were those that didnt conduct any electricity in water and had a low melting point (weak bonds) since they were made of two non-metals that dont conduct electricity. Ionic bonds are formed from metal cations (+) and non-metals anions (-) so when they dissolve in water, electricity (moving charge) flow through the solution. Additionally ionic bonds are very strong since it had a low ionization energy and a high electronegativity.