Types of Solids POGIL

What are some common categories of solids, and their properties?

Why?

Not all solids are the same. Solid substances have a tremendously wide range of melting points. Helium
melts at −272°C while tantalum hafnium carbide melts at 4215°C. Some are conductive, others are not.
Some readily dissolve in water, others do not. In this activity, you’ll look at four types of solids, the types
of substances that are typically in each category, and some of the properties typical for each.

Model 1- Arrangements of Atoms in Solids

1. List the four types of solids illustrated in Model 1. 

  
Ionic, metallic, molecular, and covalent network 

2. Complete columns ​A–C​ in the table below by referring to the examples in Model 1. Place a check (✓) in the
box that appropriately describes the types of atoms that are usually seen in each type of solid.

A B C D E F

All atoms All atoms Atoms are Molecular Formula Attractive

are are metals metals and structure units Forces
nonmetals nonmetals

Ionic solids ✓ ✓ Ionic

Molecular ✓ ✓ IMFs;
solids Covalent
bonds

Network ✓ ✓ Covalent
covalent
solids

Metallic ✓ ✓(ish) Metallic

solids Ratio
inconsistent

3. Complete columns D and E in the table above by referring to the examples in Model 1. Place
a check (✓) in the box that appropriately describes the arrangement of atoms or molecules in the solid
(either molecular—distinct molecules, or formula units—repeating units in three dimensions
with no distinct molecules).

4. There are four possible forces of attraction that hold atoms or molecules together in a solid:
covalent bonds, ionic bonds, metallic bonds and intermolecular forces​. These depend on the type
of atoms in the solid and whether the connections are between ions, atoms or molecules. Within
your group, discuss the type of attractive forces that are most likely holding the atoms or mol-
ecules together in each type of solid. List your answers in column F in the table above.

Read This!

When a solid substance is heated, the ​weakest​ attractive forces in the solid structure are overcome, and
the solid melts. In some cases, this results in individual atoms or ions, and in other cases, this results in
individual molecules. Regardless, melting is a physical change and does not alter the chemical formula of
the substance.
 5. For each type of solid in Model 1, indicate the type of attractive forces that are broken upon
melting, and describe the individual particles that make up the resulting liquid.

Bonds/forces broken upon Individual particles in the liquid

melting

Ionic Ionic bonds Cations & anions

Molecular IMFs molecules

Network Covalent IMFs + Covalent bonds atoms

Metallic IMFs + Covalent bonds atoms

6. Match the following descriptions with one of the four types of solids.

Metallic atoms with very loose electrons for a lattice of Metallic solids
nuclei held together by a sea of electrons, or metallic
bonds.

Nonmetal atoms form molecules with covalent bonds. Molecular solids

The molecules are held together in a solid by
intermolecular forces of attraction.

Metal and nonmetal atoms form a lattice of alternating Ionic solids

positive and negative ions held together by ionic
bonds.

Nonmetal atoms form a lattice structure held together Covalent network solids
with covalent bonds.

7. If a particular solid had very strong attractive forces, would you expect the melting point of that
solid to be relatively high or relatively low? Explain your reasoning.
High melting point, because it would require more energy to break the stronger attraction bonds.
Model 2 – Melting Points and Enthalpies of Fusion

8. Notice that the substances listed in Model 2 are the same as those in Model 1.
a. Which type of solid has the lowest melting points?
Molecular solids
b. Is your answer in part ​a​ consistent with your answer to Question 7?
Yes, only the intermolecular bonds are being broken, while the intramolecular bonds remain solidly
together. The opposite is true for all other types of solids, where intramolecular bonds are the first to break. 

9. The enthalpy of fusion given in Model 2 for each substance is a measure of the energy (in kJ)
needed to melt a mole of that substance. (A mole is one way of quantifying the amount of a substance
present.)
a. Which type of solid has the lowest enthalpies of fusion? ​Molecular
b. Is your answer in part a consistent with what you know to be the relative strength of the four
types of attractive forces? Explain why or why not. ​Yes, it follows the trend that molecular solids
require the least energy to break the bonds. 
10. Using both melting point data and enthalpy of fusion data, rank the remaining three types of
solids from weakest attractive forces to strongest attractive forces. Make sure there is consensus in
your group before moving on.
Ionic < Metallic < Network Covalent

Read This!

As you may have found in answering the previous question, there is a lot of overlap in properties among the four
types of solids. For example, platinum (a metallic solid) has a higher melting point than several of the network
covalent solids, but the majority of metallic solids have a much lower melting point than network covalent solids.
The categories for solids are not as clear cut as we would like them to be; nevertheless, they are useful for
predicting relative properties.

11. Use the concepts you have learned in this activity to predict the type of solid for each of the following
substances. Anyone in your group should be able to justify your group’s answers.

Substance Chemical Melting Point Enthalpy of Type of Solid

Formula (°C) Fusion
(kJ/mole)

Chlorine Cl​2 −102 6.41 Molecular

Hydrogen bromide HBr −87 2.41 Molecular

Titanium Ti 1668 20.9 Metallic

Sodium bromide NaBr 747 26.1 Ionic

Boron B 2076 50.2 Network Covalent

Mercury Hg −38.3 2.29 Molecular

Read This!

Properties other than melting point and enthalpy of fusion can be helpful when categorizing a substance as one of
the four types of solids. For example, conductivity and solubility can give great insight into the structure of a solid.
For a substance to be soluble in water it must be charged or polar. (Remember the rule “like dissolves like.”) For a
substance to be conductive, in any state, there must be charged particles in a mobile state so that they can complete
a circuit.

Model 3- Solubility and Conductivity of Solids

 12. Refer to Model 3.
a. Which type(s) of solid is generally very soluble in water?
Ionic solids 
b. Which type(s) of solid is least soluble in water?
Metallic solids, and network covalent solids. 
 
13. Refer to Model 3.
a. Which type of solid is most conductive in the solid state?
Metallic solids 
b. Use the concepts you have learned about the type of solid in part a to explain why it is conductive in
the solid state.
There are a lot of free flowing electrons, meaning that electrons can pass through the solid since the
nuclei are not so compactly placed together. There is also different charges throughout the substance. 
 
14. Explain why ionic substances would be conductive after they are melted, even though they are not
conductive as solids.
When they are melted, the intermolecular bonds are broken, meaning that the substance is not so
compact anymore. This allows space for electrons to pass through. 
 
 
 
Extension Questions
15. The last column in Model 3 (Conductive in Aqueous Solutions) has several N/A entries. Give two reasons
why conductivity data for those substances might not exist.
Substances that cannot dissolve in water will not be found in aqueous solutions. 
 
 16. Engineers use materials to perform different functions based on the properties of the materials. For
centuries we have used metals for tools and more recently for electrical circuits. What properties of
metallic solids make them well suited for this purpose?
Metallic solids are ductile/malleable, meaning they can be shaped into chips/wires. They are also
good conductors of electricity.