Question

Give the characteristic properties of :
Covalent compounds.

Answer 1

Individual molecules, molecular structures, macromolecular structures, and giant covalent structures are all examples of structures for covalent substances. Individual molecules contain strong bonds that keep the atoms together, but the forces of attraction between molecules are insignificant. Gases are the most common covalent compounds.

Complete answer:
The sharing of electrons between two or more atoms is what defines covalent bonds. These bonds are most commonly seen between nonmetals or two elements that are the same (or similar). Two atoms with comparable electronegativity do not exchange electrons from their outermost shell; instead, the atoms trade electrons to fill their valence electron shell.
If sharing a single electron pair between atoms does not satisfy an atom's usual valence, the atoms may share more than one electron pair. The following are some of the qualities of covalent bonds:
The creation of additional electrons is not a result of covalent bonding.
They are solely linked by the bond.
There are very strong chemical connections between atoms.
A covalent bond typically carries around 80 kilocalories of energy per mole.
Covalent bonds seldom break on their own after they have been established.
The atoms that are linked have precise orientations relative to one another, therefore covalent connections are directional.
The melting and boiling temperatures of most covalently bound substances are relatively low.
The enthalpies of vaporisation and fusion are generally lower in compounds containing covalent links.
Because there are no free electrons in covalently bonded compounds, they do not conduct electricity.

Note:
Carbon, according to its electrical configuration, needs to acquire or lose four electrons to become stable, which appears impossible since: Carbon cannot gain four electrons to become${C^{4 - }}$ because six protons would struggle to keep ten electrons, causing the atom to become unstable.
Carbon cannot shed four electrons to form ${C^{4 + }}$ since doing so would cost a lot of energy, and ${C^{4 + }}$ would only have two electrons retained by the proton, making it unstable once more.