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Covalent compounds are generally not good conductors because the electrons are not free to move. Solid ionic compounds are generally not good conductors because the ions are not free to move as they are locked in place in a lattice (this is not true when ionic compounds are molten or in solution!)

As always there are a few exceptions, graphite is covalent but the electrons are delocalised and it does conduct, there are also a few other inorganic conductors.

There are also some conductive organic polymers which have delocalised free electrons, these are called ICP's .

There is also a small group of what are called fast ion conductors where the crystal structure allows the ions to wander, some are used in solid oxide fuel cells.

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4mo ago

Covalent compounds do not conduct electricity because they do not have free-moving charged particles (ions or electrons) that can carry an electric current. Ionic compounds do not conduct electricity in the solid state because their ions are locked in a fixed position and cannot move to carry a current. Only when ionic compounds are melted or dissolved in water can the ions move freely and conduct electricity.

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Q: Why aren't covalent or ionic compounds good conductors?
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Are molten covalent compounds better conductors than molten ionic compounds?

No, molten ionic compounds are generally better conductors than molten covalent compounds because they contain mobile ions that can carry electric charge, while covalent compounds do not have charged particles that can move and conduct electricity.


Are you made of ionic or covalent compounds?

I am an artificial intelligence program running on a computer, so I am not made of either ionic or covalent compounds.


Why do covalent compounds have lower melting points then ionic compounds?

Covalent compounds have lower melting points compared to ionic compounds because covalent bonds are generally weaker than ionic bonds. In covalent compounds, individual molecules or atoms are held together by shared electrons, which are weaker than the electrostatic attraction in ionic compounds. Hence, less energy is required to break the bonds in covalent compounds, resulting in lower melting points.


Is a telephone receiver an ionic compound a ionic compound or a covalent compound?

A telephone receiver is not a compound itself, but the materials used to make it can be either ionic or covalent compounds. The components of a telephone receiver, such as plastics and metals, are typically made of covalent compounds.


Out of ionic pure covalent metallic and polar covalent which is most likely to conduct electricity?

The metallic substance is most likely to conduct electricity because metals have free-moving electrons that can carry electric charge. Ionic and polar covalent substances are typically insulators because their electrons are not free to move. Pure covalent substances do not conduct electricity because their electrons are localized between atoms.

Related questions

Are molten covalent compounds better conductors than molten ionic compounds?

No, molten ionic compounds are generally better conductors than molten covalent compounds because they contain mobile ions that can carry electric charge, while covalent compounds do not have charged particles that can move and conduct electricity.


Covalent compounds display which of these properties?

Covalent compounds are neutral. Covalent compounds share electrons. apex:)


Are you made of ionic or covalent compounds?

I am an artificial intelligence program running on a computer, so I am not made of either ionic or covalent compounds.


Why do covalent compounds have lower melting points then ionic compounds?

Covalent compounds have lower melting points compared to ionic compounds because covalent bonds are generally weaker than ionic bonds. In covalent compounds, individual molecules or atoms are held together by shared electrons, which are weaker than the electrostatic attraction in ionic compounds. Hence, less energy is required to break the bonds in covalent compounds, resulting in lower melting points.


Is a telephone receiver an ionic compound a ionic compound or a covalent compound?

A telephone receiver is not a compound itself, but the materials used to make it can be either ionic or covalent compounds. The components of a telephone receiver, such as plastics and metals, are typically made of covalent compounds.


Is PO4 Covalent or ionic?

It is ionic, All the compounds of Sodium are ionic.


Out of ionic pure covalent metallic and polar covalent which is most likely to conduct electricity?

The metallic substance is most likely to conduct electricity because metals have free-moving electrons that can carry electric charge. Ionic and polar covalent substances are typically insulators because their electrons are not free to move. Pure covalent substances do not conduct electricity because their electrons are localized between atoms.


Are compounds a conductor?

Ionic compounds are conductors. They allow electricity to paas


Are melting points of covalent compounds high or low compared to ionic compounds?

Melting points of covalent compounds are generally lower than those of ionic compounds. This is because covalent compounds have weaker intermolecular forces compared to the strong electrostatic forces present in ionic compounds, so they require less energy to break apart the molecules.


Is telephone receiver a ionic or covalent compound?

covalent compounds --------- It is inadequate to discuss about a telephone in terms of ionic and covalent compounds.


How can molecular compounds be distinguished from ionic compounds?

Molecular compounds are formed by sharing electrons between atoms to create covalent bonds, while ionic compounds are formed by transferring electrons from one atom to another to create ionic bonds. Molecular compounds typically have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds, which have high melting and boiling points due to strong electrostatic forces between ions. Molecular compounds are typically composed of nonmetals, while ionic compounds are composed of metals and nonmetals.


What is the difference in the way ionic and covalent compounds dissolve in solutions?

Ionic compounds dissociate into their constituent ions when they dissolve in solutions, whereas covalent compounds do not dissociate into ions and remain as molecules. This means that ionic compounds can conduct electricity in solution due to the presence of free ions, while covalent compounds generally do not conduct electricity in solution.