Ionic vs.

Covalent
Bonds
Connor Boyster
January 17, 2014
Mrs. Goode
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Ionic vs. Covalent Bonds

Purpose/Objective:
The purpose of this lab is to learn how to distinguish between ionic and covalently bonded

substances through a series of simple observations.

Prediction/Hypothesis:

Compound Hypothesis
Gelatin Covalent
Sugar Covalent
Salt Ionic
Baking Soda Covalent
Magnesium Oxide Ionic
Detergent Ionic
Cornstarch Covalent
Copper Chloride Covalent

Materials Needed:
Gelatin Sugar

Salt Baking Soda

Magnesium Oxide Detergent

Cornstarch Copper Chloride

9-volt Battery 3 wire segments

Small beaker Stirring rod

Water Paper Towels

1.5-volt bulb/socket
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Ionic vs. Covalent Bonds

Safety Precautions:
Because glass items were used, closed-toed shoes were a necessity. Gloves, apron, and goggles

were also necessary.

Procedure:
Eight paper towels were laid out and labeled with the names of the compounds. Approximately

three to five grams of each compound was placed on the paper. Observations were made and

recorded about the appearance of the compounds. A beaker was filled about one-quarter full with

water. About half of the compound was added to the water and stirred with a stirring rod for ten

seconds. Then the words “Soluble” or “Insoluble” were recorded based on the substance’s ability

to dissolve. Then the battery was wired to the light bulb so that two open ends could be placed

into the mixture within the beaker. The substance’s conductivity was then recorded in the data

table. The beaker was then rinsed and dried, and the process was repeated for each compound.

Data Collected/Observations:
Overall observations concluded that substances with a powdery appearance tended to be a

covalently bonded substance, while those with a crystalline appearance tended to be ionic in their

bonds. Many ionic compounds are soluble in water and have the ability to conduct electricity.

Covalent compounds, however, do not have this ability.

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Ionic vs. Covalent Bonds

Charts/Graphs:

Compound Description Solubility Conductivity Bond

Gelatin Powder Insoluble No Covalent
Sugar Crystalline Soluble No Ionic
Salt Crystalline Soluble Yes Ionic
Baking Soda Fine Powder Soluble Yes Ionic
Magnesium Oxide Chunky Powder Insoluble No Covalent
Detergent Powder Insoluble No Covalent
Cornstarch Chunky Powder Soluble No Covalent
Copper Chloride Blue, Crystalline Soluble No Ionic

Conclusion:
The experiment in itself was not all that difficult. However, there were some discrepancies as to

what truly constituted an ionic compound as opposed to a covalent compound. Some compounds

were not clearly one or the other. Nonetheless, I did learn some of the characteristics of Ionic and

covalent compounds.