Electrovalent and Covalent Compounds: Differences
There are three key differences between electrovalent and covalent compounds:
1. Bond Formation:
Electrovalent compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of positive and negative ions. On the other hand, covalent compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms, resulting in the formation of molecules.
In electrovalent compounds, there is a complete transfer of electrons from the metal (which loses electrons to become a cation) to the non-metal (which gains electrons to become an anion). This transfer of electrons leads to the formation of a strong electrostatic force of attraction between the positive and negative ions, resulting in the formation of a crystal lattice structure.
In covalent compounds, the atoms share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. This sharing of electrons creates a bond between the atoms, which can be single, double, or triple depending on the number of shared electron pairs. The shared electrons are attracted to both nuclei, resulting in a more localized distribution of electrons within the molecule.
2. Physical Properties:
Electrovalent compounds are generally solid at room temperature and have high melting and boiling points. This is because the strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the oppositely charged ions require a large amount of energy to break the crystal lattice structure and convert the solid into a liquid or gas.
Covalent compounds, on the other hand, can exist in all three states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) at room temperature. This is because the intermolecular forces between covalent molecules are weaker compared to the electrostatic forces in electrovalent compounds, allowing covalent compounds to have lower melting and boiling points.
3. Solubility and Conductivity:
Electrovalent compounds are usually soluble in polar solvents such as water. When an electrovalent compound is dissolved in water, the positive and negative ions separate and become surrounded by water molecules, resulting in the formation of an electrolyte solution. These solutions can conduct electricity as the ions are free to move and carry electric charge.
Covalent compounds, on the other hand, are generally insoluble or have low solubility in water. This is because covalent compounds are composed of neutral molecules that do not readily dissociate into ions when dissolved in water. As a result, covalent compounds do not conduct electricity in aqueous solutions unless they undergo ionization or react with water to form ions.
In summary, electrovalent compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons, have high melting and boiling points, and are soluble in water, while covalent compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons, have lower melting and boiling points, and are generally insoluble in water.