What is the difference between simple molecular and simple covalent substances?

What is the difference between simple molecular and simple covalent substances? are they basically the same thing in A level so is the science to explain their melting andboiling points the same?

Reply 1

JA03

Volunteer Team

Original post by Rohan007best

What is the difference between simple molecular and simple covalent substances? are they basically the same thing in A level so is the science to explain their melting andboiling points the same?

Essentially yes. I think it's because covalent molecules have low boiling/melting points due to their weak intermolecular forces which is where the 'simple molecular' term comes from.

Gonna annoy a chem genius for this because I'm not 100% sure I'm right. @TypicalNerd

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 2

George H.

I think the official term is 'simple covalent molecules', and I remember hearing that you could be marked down for just putting 'simple molecular'.

Reply 3

Rohan007best

Original post by JA03

so is a simple covalent molecule the same thing as a simple covalent compound?

Reply 4

TypicalNerd

Unsurprisingly, @JA03 is 100% correct about the explanation of the melting/boiling points.

The term ‘simple molecular’ comes from the fact that the molecules are typically only a few atoms in size, so not very complex.

I’d imagine both terms, being interchangeable, are acceptable at A level. However, I would say that it is safer to do as @George H.’s post suggests and only refer to them as ‘simple covalent molecules’ in an exam situation.

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 5

Rohan007best

Original post by TypicalNerd

Unsurprisingly, @JA03 is 100% correct.

I’d imagine both terms, being interchangeable, are acceptable at A level. However, I would say that it is safer to do as @George H.’s post suggests and only refer to them as ‘simple covalent molecules’ in an exam situation.