PROPERTIES

Property

Covalent Compounds

Ionic Compounds

Conductivity (solid)

Poor conductor (no free ions)

Poor conductor (ions locked in place)

Conductivity (liquid/melted)

Poor conductor (no ions or free charges)

Good conductor (ions free to move)

Melting Point

Usually low to moderate

High melting points

Flammability

High flammability

Usually not flammable

Solubility in Water

Low solubility

High solubility

Solubility in Oil

Usually soluble

Low solubility

Brittle

Generally brittle

Soft

Structure

Less rigid, so powdery

Rigid lattice srructure

Energy release

More energy

Less energy

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