Please enable JavaScript.

Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.

What is the best method to classify a chemical substance?, Structural…

- - - - Metallic substances are not soluble in water, where as Ionic and Covalent Substances are.
        
        Water Solubility Test
        
        Step 2
        
        Solubility Test - Method:
      - Metallic Substances are conductive in solid form, however Ionic and Covalent Substances are not.
        
        Conductivity Test
        
        Step 1
        
        Either/or could be used to test whether the substance holds a metallic bond
        
        Solid Conductivity Test - Method:
  - - - Ionic Substances are conductive when dissolved in water, whereas Covalent substances are not. Although, metallic substances are conductive when dissolved in water, completing a Conductivity test or Water solubility test beforehand will determine whether the substance has a metallic bond, or whether it holds an ionic bond.
        
        Dissolved Liquid Conductivity Test
        
        Step 3
        
        Dissolved Liquid Conductivity Test - Method:
  - - - Covalent Substances are non-conductive when dissolved in liquids and hence, using the aforementioned steps of first testing for whether the substance is metallic and then completing a liquid conductivity test is effective. This is because if the liquid conductivity test mentioned in the Ionic Bond test returns a conductive result, then it is Ionic otherwise it is Covalent.
        
        Dissolved Liquid Conductivity Test
- - - - Melting Point and Boiling Point Test: The melting and boiling points of a substance can provide insight into the types of bonds it holds. Usually, molecular substances hold low melting and boiling points, yet in contrast, lattice structures (ionic and metallic compounds) have high melting and boiling points due to the strong electrostatic forces between ions. Covalent networks also hold large melting points due to the strong covalent bonds throughout the structure.
        
        The following step can be completed to provide greater clarity to the results from the previous experiment.
        
        Electrical Conductivity Test: Substances that conduct electricity in their solid state have delocalized electrons, hence their relevant bonds can be calculated from the level of electrical conductivity. Ionic Lattice structures conduct electricity when dissolved in water, due to the movement of ions, whereas Metallic Lattices conduct electricity even in solid form. Covalent Networks and Covalent Molecules do not conduct electricity as all their valence electrons are localized within covalent bonds.
        
        The following step can be completed to provide greater clarity to the results from the previous experiment.
        
        Solubility Test: Solubility is another property that can determine the type of bonds existing within a compound or substance. Molecular substances tend to be more soluble in water due to their ability to form intermolecular relationships. Ionic lattices are also soluble in water because of ion attractions, however Metallic Lattices are not. Covalent networks are insoluble in water due to their strong covalent bonds.
        
        The following step can be completed to provide greater clarity to the results from the previous experiment.
        
        1 more item...
- - - - Conductivity Test: By completing a conductivity test, the aforementioned findings can be affirmed. If the substance draws a light on the conductivity testing device then it is a metal. If it creates a partial light then it is a metalloid. If it creates no light, then it is a non-metal.
        
        If there is doubt from the findings of the above test, then the following test can be completed.
        
        Brittle Test: As the differentiation between metals and non-metals is fairly easy, however, the differentiation between metals and metalloids or non-metals and metalloids is difficult, a brittle test can be used. This test is performed by placing the substance (in solid form) under stress or pressure to measure whether it breaks easily or not. If it does not shatter easily then it is a metal, if it shatters partially easily then it is a metalloid, and if it shatters very easily then it is a non-metal.