Name: ______________
Lab Partner: ______________
Comparing the Properties of Ionic and Covalent Compounds
Purpose: To investigate the properties of ionic and covalent compounds.
Materials:
Bunsen burner
Conductivity Apparatus
2 deflagrating spoons
2 Watch glasses
scoopula
Salt
Sugar
Procedure:
1. Obtain a small sample of salt on one watch glass and a small sample of sugar on
the other watch glass. Make sure each one is clearly labelled.
2. Observe the odour of each solid and record your observations.
3. Rub a small sample of each between your thumb and index finger. Note whether
each feels soft or hard. Check by attempting to crush a few small crystals of each
solid between a scoopula and a watch glass.
4. Ignite a Bunsen burner. Place a small sample of salt in one deflagrating spoon
and a small sample sugar in another deflagrating spoon. Hold both samples in the
burner flame until one of the samples melts. Record the melting point of the one
that melted as Low, and the one that did not melt as High.
5. Observe the demonstration by Mr. Rosenblood at the front of the room. Observe
the conductivity of each substance in water.
Observations:
Physical Property
Odour (strong, weak, none)
Hardness (hard or soft)
Melting Point (high or low)
Conductivity in Water
Data Table
Salt (Ionic Compound)
Sugar (Covalent Compound)
Analysis:
1. Which type of compound has a stronger odour? What does this tell you about the
ease with which particles in a solid leave its surface?
2. Which type of compound has a higher melting point? What does this tell you
about the strength of ionic bonds?
3. Are ionic compounds harder of softer than covalent compounds? What does this
tell you about the strength of ionic bonds?
4. Are solutions of covalent compounds or ionic compounds good conductors of
electricity? Why is this?