Question

Explain the reason $NaCl$ is an ionic compound whereas $CuCl$ is a covalent compound.

Answer 1

This question gives the knowledge about covalent compounds and ionic compounds. Ionic compounds are the compounds in which the ionic bond is formed between a positively charged ion known as cation and a negatively charged ion known as anion.

Complete step-by-step answer: Ionic compounds are the compounds in which the ionic bond is formed between a positively charged ion known as cation and a negatively charged ion known as anion. This involves charged particles. $NaCl$ is an ionic compound because this involves charged particles. In this, $N{a^ + }$ is a cation and $C{l^ - }$is an anion which is connected through ionic bonds. $CuCl$ is a covalent compound because copper and chlorine atoms share electrons to form covalent bonds.

Additional information: Properties of ionic compounds are as follows:
1.Ionic bonds are the strong bonds and generally form crystals.
2.Ionic compounds are generally solid at a room temperature.
3.Ionic compounds generally experience higher boiling and melting points.
4.Ionic compounds conduct electricity in aqueous or liquid state.
5.Ionic compounds do not conduct electricity in solid state.
These are generally made up of metals and non-metals.
Examples of ionic compounds are $NaCl$, $BaO$ and so forth.
Covalent compounds are the compounds in which the covalent bond is formed between two atoms and sharing of electrons takes place.
Properties of covalent compounds are as follows:
1.Covalent bonds are the weak bonds.
2.Covalent compounds are generally gases and liquids or sometimes solid at a room temperature.
3.Covalent compounds generally experience lower boiling and melting points.
4.Covalent compounds do not conduct electricity in aqueous or liquid state.
5.Covalent compounds do not dissolve in water.
6.These are generally made up of non-metals and nonmetals.
Examples of covalent compounds are $CuCl$, $N{H_3}$ and so forth.

Note: Covalent bonds can be broken very rapidly because these bonds are very weak bonds and are formed by sharing of electrons. Ionic bonds cannot be broken very rapidly because these bonds are very strong bonds and are formed by donating electrons from one ion to another ion.