======Properties of Covalent, Ionic and Metallic Substances======


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**Alternative titles:** Investigating Bond Types Through Physical Properties
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  -Gather small samples of each type of substance:  
    *Ionic*: table salt (sodium chloride)  
    *Covalent*: table sugar (sucrose) or paraffin wax  
    *Metallic*: aluminum foil or copper wire  
  -Observe the **appearance** and **luster** of each sample. Record whether the sample is shiny, dull, crystalline, or powdery.  
  -Test **solubility in water**:  
     -Add a small amount (about 1 g) of each substance to separate test tubes containing 10 mL of distilled water.  
     -Stir each mixture and record whether the substance dissolves completely, partially, or not at all.  
  -Test **melting point (qualitatively)**:  
     -Place a small pinch of each substance on separate squares of aluminum foil.  
     -Gently heat each with a Bunsen burner or candle flame for up to 5 seconds.  
     -Record whether the sample melts, softens, or remains solid.  
  -Test **electrical conductivity**:  
     -For solid conductivity: use a conductivity meter or circuit tester on each dry sample.  
     -For aqueous conductivity: test each water solution using the conductivity meter.  
     -Record if each sample conducts electricity in solid or aqueous state.  
  -Summarize observations and classify each sample as ionic, covalent, or metallic based on its properties.



====Links==== 
  * None available

====Variations====
  *Test additional materials such as graphite (covalent network) or brass (metallic alloy).  
  *Measure actual melting points using a hot plate and thermometer.  
  *Use different solvents (e.g., ethanol or oil) to test solubility differences.  
  *Compare the strength and malleability of metallic vs ionic crystals by gentle tapping.



====Safety Precautions====
  *Wear safety goggles and gloves at all times.  
  *Keep flammable materials away from open flames.  
  *Do not touch hot metal or foil; allow samples to cool before handling.  
  *Do not taste or ingest any materials.  
  *Dispose of chemical waste properly and wash hands after the experiment.




====Questions to Consider====
  *Which substance was shiny and conducted electricity? (The metallic sample.)  
  *Which substance dissolved in water and conducted when in solution? (The ionic compound.)  
  *Which substance melted easily and did not conduct electricity? (The covalent compound.)  
  *How do these observations relate to the type of bonding in each substance?  
  *Why do metallic substances conduct in both solid and molten states, while ionic substances only conduct when molten or dissolved?  
  *How does bond type affect melting point and solubility?