University of Research and Technological Investigation YACHAY

TECH
School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering
Department of Chemistry

Dra. Sandra Hidalgo

INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY

SEMESTER: 20171

PRACTICE 6: Properties of ionic

 Inorganic Chemistry I Laboratory

OBJECTIVES
Determine the general properties of ionic compounds and compare those properties to the properties of
a covalent compound.

PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION
Physical and chemical properties of ionic and covalent compounds. Theoretical models for ionic bonding.
Theoretical models for covalent bonding

INTRODUCTION
A compound is defined as a chemical combination of two or more elements. A chemical bond is the
glue holding the atoms together. Two types of bonds are ionic and covalent. Ionic bonds generally occur
between a metallic atom and a nonmetallic atom. The bond results from the transfer of one or more
electrons from the metallic atom to the nonmetallic atom, resulting in a charge difference. The positively
charged metal ion is then attracted to the negatively charged nonmetallic ion. Covalent bonding generally
occurs between two or more nonmetallic atoms. Covalent bonding involves the sharing of electrons.
Properties of compounds depend on the strength of the attractive forces between particles. The
particles that compose an ionic compound (ions) are held together by ionic bonds. In this experiment, you
will conduct tests on the physical properties of different compounds and compile data enabling you
identify ionic compounds based on their properties.
The salt and sugar on your kitchen table both dissolve easily in water, but there is an important
difference. Salt is an ionic compound. Like all ionic compounds, it produces ions when it dissolves (or
dissociates). The ions are free to move in the solution, so the solution conducts electricity.
The more ions in a solution, the better it conducts electricity. If something produces a large amount of
ions it is called a strong electrolyte. If something produces a small amount of ions, it is called a weak
electrolyte. Covalent compounds do not conduct electricity when dissolved because they do not produce
ions. If something produces no ions, it is called a nonelectrolyte.
The physical properties of a substance such as flame color, crystal structure, solubility, conductivity and
melting point of a substance tell us a lot about the type of bonding in a compound. The electrostatic force
that holds oppositely charged particles together in an ionic compound is referred to as an ionic bond!
Ionic compounds are bonded together in a repeating 3-dimensional pattern called a crystal
lattice. (figure 1)
Solubility is the ability to dissolve in a solvent (typically water, but can include other liquids such
as alcohols).
Conductivity describes if the substance can carry an electric current.
Melting points for ionic compounds are much higher than those of covalent compounds so we
are unable to test for them safely in the lab.

Cubic

Tetragonal

Hexagonal

Rombic

Monoclinic

Triclinic

Figure 1. Examples of crystal lattice structures

 Inorganic Chemistry I Laboratory

MATERIALS AND REAGENTS

1 Conductivity meter
1 Microscope
1 Melting point apparatus
1 Spatula
8 Test tubes
1 Test tube rack
5 mL of pure water
100 mg of sodium acetate
100 mg of magnesium nitrate hexahydrate
100 mg of fructose
100 mg of salicylic acid
100 mg of urea
100 mg of sodium chloride

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

There are six substances: sodium acetate, magnesium nitrate hexahydrate, Fructose, salicylic acid, urea
and sodium chloride.

1. Based on your previous knowledge, classify in Table 1 to each of these substances as ionic or covalent.

Table 1. Preliminary classification of the substances studied as ionic or covalent.

Clasification
Substance
Ionic Covalent
Sodium acetate
Magnesium nitrate6H2O
Fructose
Salicylic acid
Urea
Sodium chloride
2. As appropriate, enter in Table 2 if the substances has crystalline appearance or not. (Check your
observation with the help of a microscope.)
a) What is the main difference that you see that between a compound with crystalline and one amorphous
appearance? _____________________________________________________
b) Change your mind regarding the crystalline appearance of some compound after observing it with a
microscope? ____________________________________________________

3. Place a small amount of each of the substances in test tubes and probes for the solubility of the
compounds in water (do not place the entire sample). Additionally test whether the solutions conduct
current. Record your results in Table 2.
IMPORTANT: Make sure the terminals of the apparatus for detecting conductivity are free of
contaminants, conducting contaminants can distort your results. To do this, rinse with distilled water
before each determination. Make sure it also the water you are using not present conductivity.

a) Do all ionic compounds that you considered conduct electricity in water? ________________
b) What events must happen for a compound drive current solution? _________________

4. Determine the melting point of each substance and record it in Table 2.

5. For compounds that has accessible melting points, melts a small quantity of the substance by heating
gently with the burner (the target is melt not burn). Once you have the substance in liquid state probe
for the conductivity. Record your observations in Table 2.

a) Do all ionic compounds you thought had high melting points? _________________
 Inorganic Chemistry I Laboratory

Table 2. Results.
Melting
Soluble in Conductivity Conductivity in Ionic or
Substance Crystalline? point
water? in water liquid state covalent?
(C)
Distilled None
water - - Low - - -
(control) High
Sodium Completely None None
crystalline Ionic or
acetate Partially Low Low
amorphous covalent
Insoluble High High
Magnesium Completely None None
crystalline Ionic or
nitrate6H2O Partially Low Low
amorphous covalent
Insoluble High High
Fructose Completely None None
crystalline Ionic or
Partially Low Low
amorphous covalent
Insoluble High High
Salicylic acid Completely None None
crystalline Ionic or
Partially Low Low
amorphous covalent
Insoluble High High
Urea Completely None None
crystalline Ionic or
Partially Low Low
amorphous covalent
Insoluble High High
Completely None None
Sodium crystalline Ionic or
Partially Low Low
chloride amorphous covalent
Insoluble High High
A
B

b) Which compound(s) exhibited properties that surprised you? ______________________

Why? _____________________________________________________________________

6. Now performs the same tests for unknown substances A and B. Record your results in Table 3 and the
information obtained classifies each as ionic or covalent.

ANALYZE

What is the best criterion in order to determine the ionic or covalent character for the chemical
compounds?

Review your observations of the appearance, on the solubility, and conductivity of the ionic compounds
a) Summarize similarities among the compounds
b) Summarize any observation that singles out a uniqueness of one or two of the compounds.

Based upon your observations and analysis, generalize the properties of ionic compounds.
a) Appearance and Crystal Structure:
b) Solubility:
c) Conductivity (compare solid vs aqueous):
d) Melting point:

Calculate the percent error for melting point given the correct melting point for the compounds