Give the characteristic properties of :

(a) electrovalent compounds,

(b) covalent compounds.

(a) The characteristic properties of electrovalent compounds are:

1. They are hard solids consisting of ions.
2. They are non-volatile with high melting and boiling points.
3. They do not conduct electricity in solid state but are good conductors of electricity in the fused or in aqueous state.
4. They are good conductors of heat.
5. They are soluble in water but insoluble in organic solvents.
6. They show rapid speed of chemical reactions in aqueous solutions.

(b) The characteristic properties of covalent compounds are:

1. Their constituent particles are molecules. They are gases or liquids or soft solids.
2. They are volatile with low melting and boiling points.
3. They are non-conductors of electricity in solid, molten or aqueous state.
4. They are poor conductors of heat.
5. They are insoluble in water but dissolve in organic solvents.
6. They show slow speed of chemical reactions in aqueous solutions.