In order to identify whether the five unknown compounds were an ionic or covalent compound, their physical properties were observed. The melting point, solubility and conductivity of each compound were tested. Also, these tests were performed due to the similar physical properties of each compound because their identities can be deceiving and it is not enough to determine the true identity of each compound. Melting points, solubility, and conductivity is different for every ionic and covalent compound, therefore by analyzing the results of these tests, the type of compounds can be identified.
The melting test involved placing pea sized quantities of every compound into a ceramic well plate and heating them to the temperature of 100℃ on a hot plate. The results of this test identified that Sample A, sucrose, began to brown at 26.9℃ and caramelized at 94.3℃. Sample B, sodium bicarbonate, and Sample C, sodium chloride, both …show more content…
The results of the solubility tests showed that Sample A, sucrose, had a solubility of 90% a small amount of substance could still be seen floating within the test tube. Sample B, sodium bicarbonate, had a solubility of about 80% since a fair amount of substance could still be seen floating in the mixture. Sample C, sodium chloride, had a solubility of 100% thus creating a homogeneous mixture. Sample D, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, had a solubility of 95% since only a very small amount of the compound could be seen floating in the test tube. Compound D, paraffin was not soluble in water and did not