dentifying Unknowns - Laboratory Worksheet

Name

Objective: In this activity, you will perform a virtual investigation to determine whether two unknown compounds are an ionic or a covalent compound.

Pre-Lab Questions

• Describe how an ionic bond forms between sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) to make sodium chloride, NaCl.
• Sugar is a covalent compound. How is a covalent bond different than an ionic bond?
• Complete the table below. List the properties of ionic and covalent compounds.

Compound Type	Property
	Boiling Point	Melting Point	Solubility	Conductivity
Ionic
Covalent

Hypothesis and Variables

4. Predict the rate of dissolving for the types of compounds. Record your hypothesis for how you think an ionic and a covalent compound will behave in solution. You may write it as an "if, then" statement.

Ionic Compound:

Covalent Compound:

5. Record your hypothesis as an "if, then" statement for the boiling point of the compounds:

Ionic Compound:

Covalent Compound:

6. List the variables of the experiment.

Independent variable:

Dependent variable:

Controlled variables:

Materials

(Note: this is a virtual lab, no materials are needed. The items listed here are the types of items that could be used in a similar investigation.)

• a hot plate
• a thermometer
• a scale
• a measuring spoon
• water
• beakers