Mammoth Memory

What kind of structure does your substance have?

You can work out the chemical structure of a substance by looking at its physical properties.

If it is a gas, liquid or a soft solid with a low melting point, then it is a simple covalent substance.

image of a melting ice cream

 

If it is a solid with a high melting point then it has a giant structure, and is either an ionic, covalent or metallic compound.

Solids with a high melting point it can either be ionic covalent or metallic

If the substance dissolves in water (without a reaction), it is probably ionic.

tiny scuba diver breaking up a tablet in a glass of water

If it’s a solid that conducts electricity, it will be a metal or graphite (a substance with a giant covalent structure).

conductor with lightning coming from his conducting baton

If it’s shiny and malleable, it will be a metal.

person bending a spoon

If it’s a brittle material, it has a giant covalent structure.

image of a pencil's lead snapping

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