Asked by jordan

Which characteristic best explains the difference in melting behavior of covalent substances and ionic substances?
Ionic substances have weaker intermolecular attractions.
Ionic substances usually have stronger atomic bonds.
Covalent substances have weaker intermolecular attractions.
Covalent substances usually have stronger atomic bonds.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Covalent substances have weaker intermolecular attractions.

Explanation: Melting requires breaking/overcoming the forces holding particles together. Ionic solids are held by strong electrostatic (ionic) attractions between ions, so they have high melting points. Many covalent substances are molecular and are held together by much weaker intermolecular forces (van der Waals, dipole–dipole, H‑bonding), so they melt at much lower temperatures.