Question

In general, at room temperature ionic compounds are all solids and covalent compounds are all gases. covalent compounds are all gases, but ionic compounds may be solids, liquids, or gases. ionic compounds are all solids, and covalent compounds are either liquids or gases. ionic compounds are all solids, but covalent compounds may be solids, liquids, or gases.

Answer 1

In ionic compounds, the oppositely charged ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces. Thus, ionic compounds form crystal lattice structure which is hard to break. This is why ionic compounds are solids at room temperature. They have high melting points.

In covalent compounds, there is sharing of electrons between the bonded atoms. The bonded atoms are held together by weak van der Waal forces. Thus, the melting and boiling points of covalent compounds are low. Hence, the covalent compounds may be solids, liquids or gases.

Therefore, the correct option is: Ionic compounds are all solids, but covalent compounds may be solids, liquids, or gases.