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Suggest an experiment that could distinguish a polar compound from a ionic compound.
A. Observe if the compound is attracted to a magnet
B. Attempt to dissolve the compound in a polar solvent
C. Examine the compound with a microscope
D. Attempt to run an electrical current through a solution of each compound *answer
E. Determine the compound's melting point
I understand why D would work, but why wouldn't E?
The solution states that, "the mass of the compound also has a large effect, so melting point alone cannot tell a polar compound from an ionic one"
But melting point is an intrinsic property. So how would mass play a role in this? And since there is such a large difference between the melting points of covalent and ionic compounds couldn't this be used to distinguish between the two?
Thanks!
A. Observe if the compound is attracted to a magnet
B. Attempt to dissolve the compound in a polar solvent
C. Examine the compound with a microscope
D. Attempt to run an electrical current through a solution of each compound *answer
E. Determine the compound's melting point
I understand why D would work, but why wouldn't E?
The solution states that, "the mass of the compound also has a large effect, so melting point alone cannot tell a polar compound from an ionic one"
But melting point is an intrinsic property. So how would mass play a role in this? And since there is such a large difference between the melting points of covalent and ionic compounds couldn't this be used to distinguish between the two?
Thanks!