Question

You will plan, design, and conduct your own investigation to compare the electrical forces between molecules in two different substances by observing and comparing bulk properties. You will need to decide which substances you want to evaluate, and then, develop a procedure. Read the directions and review the key words for this lesson as you answer the following about your investigation.
Step 1: Substances
Which substances do you wish to compare and why? (Add additional space and items as needed.)
Remember to review the key words and concepts, especially for bulk properties and electrical forces, for this lesson as you answer this question.

1. Substance 1 and why
2. Substance 2 and why

Answers

GPT-4o mini
### Step 1: Substances

**1. Substance 1: Sodium Chloride (NaCl) - Table Salt**
**Reason for Selection:** Sodium chloride is an ionic compound that dissociates into Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions in solution. The strong electrostatic forces between these ions create a significant bulk property of high melting and boiling points. Additionally, NaCl provides a clear example of how ionic interactions lead to differences in solubility and conductivity compared to covalent or molecular substances. Observing its properties can help illustrate the electrical forces at play in ionic compounds.

**2. Substance 2: Sugar (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁) - Sucrose**
**Reason for Selection:** Sucrose is a covalent compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Unlike sodium chloride, sucrose does not dissociate into ions, but rather exists as whole molecules in solution. This difference in molecular structure results in varying bulk properties, such as lower melting and boiling points compared to NaCl, as well as differences in solubility in water. Comparing sucrose to NaCl will allow for a direct investigation into how the type of bonding (ionic versus covalent) affects electrical interactions and related physical properties.

### Summary
In summary, the chosen substances—sodium chloride (NaCl) and sucrose—are ideal for investigating the differences in electrical forces between molecules due to their contrasting ionic and covalent nature. This comparison will provide insight into how these forces contribute to varying bulk properties like melting point, boiling point, and conductivity.