Ionic Compounds Lab Report

The purpose of the lab was to determine which unknown substances were ionic compounds, if any, using 4 different methods. This lab was to determine which of the three unknown substances (X, Y & Z) are ionic compounds and which are not ionic compounds. In conclusion unknown Y is an ionic compound and unknown X and Z are not ionic compounds. In order for a substance to be an ionic compound it must have a high melting point, it must be brittle, it must be soluble in water, it can not conduct electricity as a solid, and it must conduct electricity as an aqueous solution. Unknown Y met all of these requirements which is why it must be an ionic compound. Unknown X is not an ionic compound because it does not conduct electricity as an aqueous solution and has a low melting point. Unknown X did not pass the 4 test to become …show more content…
These properties are high melting points, are brittle, don’t conduct electricity as a solid, but conduct as an aqueous solution. Ionic compounds have high melting points because there are several strong bonds, a lot of heat energy is needed to break them. They also are brittle because once a force (hit) is applied to the compound, the ions with the same charges, lineup, repel, and split apart. Ionic compounds cannot conduct electricity as a solid because they don’t have mobile particles. Due to the fact it’s a solid, the particles are stuck together, shaking in place and don’t have the ability to move in one general direction. The ions are unable to come into contact with the electrodes of the probe. Ionic compounds are soluble in water. The H20 breaks apart the ions, the H20 goes between the ions, and the H20 and ions roll around freely. Based on the ions ability to dissolve in water we know that, ionic compounds can conduct electricity as an aqueous solution. The ions are able to move to the probe and complete the