Basics of Atoms & Bonding and Chemical Reactions

Properties of Covalent Compounds

There are 3 properties: Low melting and boiling points, Soft and flexible, No Electrical

Conductivity

Low melting and boiling points:

Covalent compounds don't need to break up any bonds. These molecules don't interact with each other, making it very simple to separate them. Since it is so easy to separate them no high melting and boiling points are needed.

Soft and flexible:

Covalent compounds have molecules which easily move around each other. This happens becuase it has no bonds between them. That is why covalent compounds are usually very flexible rather than hard.

No Electrical Conductivity:

Electricity is conducted in a liquid solution from the movement of ions. The ions have charge which allows the liquid solution to conduct electricity. Since there are no ions in covalent compounds, they do not conduct electricity in liquid solution.