Question

Suppose you want to test if a sample compound is ionic. You have these materials the solid compound a glass container a spoon and a conductivity apparatus. What material is missing from your list and why is it necessary?

Answer 1

Sample Response: The missing material is water. You cannot test the conductivity of ionic compounds if they are not dissolved in water. Solid ionic compounds cannot conduct electricity.

Answer 2

One way would be to dissolve them in water. Ionic compounds will break into ions and allow the solution to conduct an electric current, whereas covalently bonded substances will not. Another way would be to find the substance's melting point. Ionically bonded compounds have much higher melting points.