Due to the neutral nature of the molecules and the absence of charged particles (no ions or electrons to move and carry charge), covalent molecular formations do not conduct electricity. Learn more about Why Don’t Covalent Bonds Conduct Electricity?
Why Don’t Covalent Bonds Conduct Electricity?
To establish covalent bonds, electrons must be shared, i.e., orbital overlapping. Covalent compounds with covalent bonds do not conduct electricity because they lack free electrons or ions to transfer energy. Covalent bonds do not break easily (dissociate) or generate ions that aid in the conduction of electricity.
How Do Covalent Compounds Conduct Electricity?
Covalent compounds are created when two non-metals with comparable electronegativities come together, and because of this, electrons are shared to create covalent bonds. Covalent bonds are potent bonds.
Complete Solution
The chemicals that are joined by a covalent link are known as covalent compounds. Covalent bonds can develop between identical elements or two nonmetals. Since the valence electrons in the outermost shell of the two atoms with the same electronegativity cannot be exchanged, they must share their electrons to create a covalent connection. Here are the characteristics of covalent compounds.
- The covalent link between the atoms is a powerful bond.
- Covalent bonds have bond energy of 80 kcal per mole.
- Once created, covalent bonds are difficult to break.
- The melting and boiling points of covalent compounds are low.
- The vaporization and fusion enthalpies of the covalent compounds are lower.
Since free ions are necessary for electrical conduction and the covalent connection is difficult to break, its ions are not quickly released. Covalent bonds cannot carry electricity because they lack free ions (charged particles). Therefore, no electricity can flow via pure covalent molecules.
Note: Two nonmetal atoms with differing electronegativity values and unequal distribution of the bonding electron pair can form polar covalent bonds. For instance, in the compound H-Cl, the electronegativity of the Cl atom is 3.0, while that of the H atom is 2.1. The difference in electronegativity will range from 0.41 to 1.00. Because free ions are mobile, polar covalent compounds can conduct electricity.
Properties Of Covalent Compounds
We discovered that the features of solid ionic compounds covered in Ionic Compounds frequently result from the powerful attraction of opposing electrical charges. The fact that covalent bonds play a significant role in the characteristics of covalent compounds should not be a surprise.
Covalent compounds are not ionic, which is one of the most crucial things to keep in mind. Although it may appear straightforward, the distinction is more complex than you think.
However, in covalent compounds, molecules function largely independently of one another. Intermolecular forces, which are much more helpless than chemical bonds, hold the molecules of a covalent compound together.
This is in contrast to ionic compounds, where all of the ions in a giant crystal serve to hold each other together (more about intermolecular forces in Solids). As a result, unlike ions in ionic compounds, molecules in covalent compounds are not as attracted to one another. Awareness of the behavior of covalent compounds requires understanding this structural difference.
Low Melting And Boiling Points Of Covalent Compounds
Ionic compounds can be challenging to melt due to the strong contacts between the cations and anions in an ionic crystal., as was discussed in Ionic Compounds. In contrast, all molecules in covalent compounds are very weakly bonded to their nearby counterparts, making it exceedingly easy to separate covalent molecules from one another.
Poor Conductors Are Covalent Compounds
When dissolved or melted, ionic substances become excellent conductors of electricity. This is because ionic compounds feature mobile ions that can transmit electrical charge from one location to another, as was discussed in Ionic Compounds. They also transport heat very effectively due to the proximity of the ions, which enables effective energy transmission from one location to another.
On the other hand, covalent compounds almost invariably function well as heat and electricity insulators. Because there are no ions to transport the electrical circuit charge, electricity cannot conduct across covalent molecules effectively. Your home’s extension cords, which have plastic covering over the metal to prevent electrocuting your cat, illustrate this.
Additionally, heat transfer through them is less effective because covalent compounds’ molecules are not as closely bound to one another as ionic compounds’ ions are. This is why using salt-coated hands to remove cookies from the oven is preferable to using oven mitts.
Sometimes Covalent Compounds Burn
Covalent substances containing carbon are known as organic compounds. They frequently include hydrogen as well. It may also contain trace amounts of halogen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, or other elements. Many covalent compounds are easily ignited by heat and are flammable.
The term “organic compounds” refers to the top class of covalent substances that are combustible. Because they include carbon and hydrogen, which mix well with oxygen at high temperatures, organic molecules burn.
It’s crucial to remember that not all covalent compounds burn. For instance, water is a covalent molecule, but you’ll have difficulty getting it to ignite. However, covalent molecules are much more explosive than ionic compounds.
Because most known covalent compounds are organic, flammability is a characteristic of covalent compounds in general. Even if many covalent compounds don’t burn, we may confidently mention this as a quality of covalent compounds because most organic molecules burn.
Final Summary
I have explained Why Don’t Covalent Bonds Conduct Electricity? When non-metal atoms unite by sharing electrons, a covalent bond is created. Covalent substances don’t conduct electricity because they lack conductive ions and free electrons.
Ions make up an ionic compound, which is kept together in solid form by powerful forces. The constituent ions, however, become divided and dispersed throughout the solution when an ionic molecule dissolves in water to form a solution. This facilitates the flow of an electric current through the mixture.
