Properties of Small Molecules

Describe substances strictly consisting of small molecules as typically presenting as gases or liquids that naturally possess relatively low melting points and boiling points.

Understand that these small molecular substances feature only very weak intermolecular forces functioning directly between the individual molecules.

Explain that it is exclusively these incredibly weak intermolecular forces that are actively overcome during melting or boiling, rather than the vastly stronger internal covalent bonds.

Explain the observable trend that intermolecular forces noticeably increase in power with the overall physical size of the involved molecules, concluding that larger molecules inherently demand higher melting and boiling points.

Explain explicitly why these small molecular substances intrinsically fail to conduct electricity, detailing that the unified molecules strictly lack any overall electric charge.

Apply the conceptual idea that intermolecular forces are exceptionally weak compared directly with structural covalent bonds to successfully explain the broader bulk physical properties of all molecular substances.