Name ________________________________________________ Date __________

Chemical Bonds

Introduction
Chemical compounds are combinations of atoms held together by chemical bonds. These chemical bonds are
of two basic types - ionic and covalent. Ionic bonds result when one or more electrons from one atom or group
of atoms are transferred to another atom. Positive and negative ions are created. In covalent compounds, the
electrons are shared between the bonded atoms.
A salt (sodium-chloride) formula unit is made up of one
sodium atom and one chlorine atom. In order for the
atoms to combine, the sodium atom must lose an
electron, while the chlorine atom must gain an electron;
the resulting ions have opposite charges and attract one
another. When a sodium atom loses an electron, it
becomes a positively charged ion (Na+) called a cation.
The chlorine atom adds this free electron, becoming a
negatively charged anion.
A bond can now form between the negatively charged Cl- and the positively charged Na+. This type of bond is
called an ionic bond. Ionic bonds typically form between one metal and one nonmetal ion. The reaction can be
written as: Na+ + Cl- → Na+Cl-
Table sugar (sucrose) differs from salt in the bonding between its atoms. The
atoms in sugar do not form ions; instead, they are held together because of shared
electrons. This is an example of covalent bonding. Table sugar has a much more
complex chemical structure than salt. A covalent bond between one carbon atom and
one hydrogen atom forms when one of the valence electrons of the carbon atom
groups with one of the valence electrons of the hydrogen atom, forming an electron
pair.
Physical properties are characteristics of matter that can be observed or measured without changing the
sample’s composition. Physical properties also describe pure substances (elements or compounds). Because
substances have uniform and unchanging compositions, they also have consistent and unchanging physical
properties. Density, color, odor, hardness, melting point and boiling point are common physical properties that
scientists record as identifying characteristics of a substance. Physical properties such as melting point,
solubility (the ability to dissolve) and conductivity (the ability to conduct electricity) indicate the type of bond in
a compound. In this experiment, you will conduct tests, focusing on the physical properties of color, melting
point, solubility and conductivity of various substances to classify compounds as either ionic or covalent.

Safety
Take the necessary precautions before beginning this experiment. Wear safety goggles and aprons. Read all
safety cautions in your procedures and discuss them with your teacher. It is important to use good safety
techniques while conducting experiments.

Apparatus
can lid ring stand utility clamp scoopula
6 well micro titration plate conductivity apparatus iron ring matches

Materials
candle ethanol citric acid
sodium chloride potassium iodide phenyl salicylate
calcium chloride, anhydrous sucrose distilled water
Q-tips
 Procedures
1. Record a brief description of each substance in your Data Table. Do not use similes (ex. it looks like) - use
adjectives.
2. Place a scoopula tip of the sucrose, sodium chloride, phenyl salicylate, calcium chloride, citric acid and
potassium iodide crystals in separate locations on the soup can lid - about 1.5 inches out from the center.
Light the candle and observe for 10 minutes. [Complete step 3 during this time]. Record whether the
substances melted or not. There should be 3 substances that melt. Extinguish the flame. Allow the lid to
cool during the remainder of the experiment.
3. Place a scoopula tip full of each substance in the large wells, each well with a separate substance. Add
enough distilled water that, combined with the crystals, the well is approximately three quarters full. To
determine solubility, compare how much of the substance is still there after the water has been added and the
plate has been swirled for 1 minute. If some has dissolved, the substance is soluble. Record either a “yes” or
“no” in the solubility part of the data table.
4. Turn on the conductivity tester. Test the conductivity of each water solution by dipping both electrodes into
each well of the micro titration plate. Be sure to rinse the electrodes with distilled water from a pipette and
dry them with a paper towel after each test. Use the key on the back of the conductivity tester to determine
the extent of conductivity. Record the results, as either a #0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the Data Table. Turn off the
conductivity tester.
5. Clean the micro titration plate by rinsing it with water. If any wells are difficult to clean, use a q-tip.

CAUTION
Ethanol is flammable. Be sure ALL candle flames are extinguished before you begin.

6. Repeat step 3 but add ethanol instead of water to each well of crystals. Determine the solubility and record.
7. Clean the micro titration plate by rinsing it with water. If any wells are difficult to clean, use a cotton swab.

Data Table
Melted? Water Conductivity Ethanol
Compound Description Yes or No Soluble? (#0, 1, 2, 3, 4) Soluble?

Calcium Chloride

Citric Acid

Phenyl Salicylate

Potassium Iodide

Sodium Chloride

Sucrose