Properties of Covalent Substances

Explain how the bulk macro-properties of covalent materials directly relate to the specific types of bonds they contain, the strength of their intermolecular forces, and the overall structural arrangement of these bonds.

Understand that substances consisting of small molecules are typically gaseous or liquid at room temperature and correspondingly possess relatively low melting and boiling points.

Differentiate between strong internal covalent bonds and the weak intermolecular forces acting between small molecules.

Explain that during melting or boiling, it is exclusively the weak intermolecular forces that are overcome, not the strong covalent bonds.

Detail how intermolecular forces increase proportionally with the size of the molecules, resulting in higher melting and boiling points for larger molecules.

Explain why small covalent substances are fundamentally unable to conduct electricity, recognizing that their molecules lack an overall electric charge.

Describe the physical nature of polymers, emphasizing that their extremely large molecular size results in relatively strong intermolecular forces, making them solid at room temperature.

Describe the structural composition of giant covalent structures, explaining how their network of strong continuous covalent bonds directly results in exceptionally high melting points.