Ethanol has a simple covalent structure. It exists as discrete molecules in the different states. There are no mobile ions or delocalised electrons to conduct electricity.
Category: Covalent Bonding
Explain why two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom are involved in a covalent bond to form a H2O molecule.
Each oxygen atom needs to share two electrons to achieve a stable electronic structure of a noble gas.
However, one hydrogen atom can only share one electron to achieve its own stable electronic structure.
Therefore, one oxygen atom will share 2 valence electrons with 2 hydrogen atoms to form the H2O molecule.
Explain, using structure and bonding, why carbon dioxide has low melting point and boiling point.
Carbon dioxide is a simple covalent compound, consisting of discrete molecules. The molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces of attraction. Very little energy is needed to break these weak bonds, hence carbon dioxide has low melting point and boiling point.