Question

How do covalent compounds conduct electricity?

Answer 1

The covalent compounds are formed between two non-metals having similar electronegativities and due to this sharing of electrons take place to form covalent bonds. The covalent bonds are very strong bonds.

Complete step by step answer:
The covalent compounds are the compounds which are bonded by a covalent bond. The covalent bond is formed between two nonmetals or between two same elements. The two atoms having same electronegativity will not exchange their valence electrons present in the outermost shell therefore they will mutually share their electrons to form a covalent bond.
Some of the properties of covalent compounds are shown below.
(1) The covalent bond is a very strong bond which exists between the atoms.
(2) The bond energy of covalent bonds is 80 kilocalories per mole.
(3) Covalent bonds cannot be broken easily when they are formed.
(4) The covalent compounds have low melting point and boiling point.
(5) The covalent compounds have lower enthalpies of vaporization and fusion.
As we know that the conduction of electricity is due to the presence of free ions and the covalent bond is hard to break it does not easily release its ions. As covalent bonds lack free ions (charged particles), they are not able to conduct electricity.
Therefore, the pure covalent compounds do not conduct electricity.

Note:
Polar covalent bonds form between two nonmetal atoms that have different electronegativity values and therefore have unequal sharing of the bonding electron pair. Example: In H-Cl, the electronegativity value of the Cl atom is 3.0, and the H atom is 2.1. The electronegativity difference will be between 0.41 – 1.00. Therefore, polar covalent compounds can conduct electricity due to mobility of free ions.