How do you classify solids?

Classify each of the following solids as molecular, metallic, ionic, or covalent network?

• On the basis of the description given, classify each of the following solids as molecular, metallic, ionic, or covalent network. EXPLAIN your answers. a. a lustrous, yellow solid that conducts electricity b. a hard, black solid melting at 2350 C to give a nonconducting liquid c. a nonconducting, pink solid melting at 650 C to give an electrically conducting liquid d. red crystals having a characteristics odor and melting at 171 C

• Answer:

  1. metallic - Metals usually exist in solid form and are brightly colored especially the transition elements. They are also very good conductors. 2. Covalent network - Covalent network solids have very high melting points because of their strong structure. Should they melt, they still don't have the ability to conduct electricity, 3. ionic - ionic solids also have high melting point due to the strong interactions between its atoms. Components ions have achieved stable configuration so its difficult to melt them. Nonetheless, once it melts, it will give a solution of postitive and negative ions that have the ability to conduct electricity. 4. covalent - lower melting point and distinct colors are characteristics of a covelent solid, notably, coordinate covelent solids aka complex compounds.