#Molecular vs ionic free#

In molecular compounds, the atoms are tightly bonded and there is no free electron in the molecule. Molecular compounds are neutral, as they have an equal number of positive and negative charges. For example, H 2 O (water), CH 4 (methane), N 2 (nitrogen) etc. In a molecular compound, the electrons are shared by two or more atoms and there is no free electron in the molecule. The molecules are made up of atoms and the compounds have covalent bonds between the atoms. Ionic Compounds examples include NaCl (sodium chloride), NaClO (sodium hypochlorite), CaF 2 (calcium fluoride), NaNO 3 (sodium nitrate), Na 2 SO 4 (sodium sulfate), CaSO 4 (calcium sulfate), FeCl 3 (iron(III) chloride), KNO 3 (potassium nitrate), and MgCO 3 (magnesium carbonate).Ī molecular compound is a substance composed of molecules. They also have high conductivity compared to molecular compounds due to their ability to conduct electricity. Ionic compounds have high boiling points and low density compared to other substances such as molecular compounds. Ionic compounds dissolve well in water to form electrolytes. Ionic compounds conduct electricity when melted or dissolved in water. Ionic compounds have high melting points. In an ionic compound, the cations and anions are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction (or repulsion).

If an atom gains one or more electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion called anion. If an atom loses one or more electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion called cation. The ions can be positive or negative depending on the number of electrons present in them. The positive and negative ions are held together by the attraction between them. Molecular compounds do not have an exact melting pointĪn ionic compound is a substance that consists of positively charged ions and negatively charged ions.

Ionic compounds have a high melting point. The non-metallic atoms like hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and chlorine are present in the molecular compounds. The metallic ions present in the ionic compounds are usually present in their charged state. The compounds present in the molecular compounds are held together by covalent bonds. Ionic Compound Molecular Compound The ions present in the ionic compounds are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction.