A chemist analyzes a crystalline solid that has a melting point exceeding $1500\text{ }^\circ\text{C}$, does not dissolve in water, and remains an electrical insulator in both its solid and molten states. Mechanical testing reveals that the material is extraordinarily hard rather than malleable or easily cleaved. Based on these laboratory observations, which classification of solid does this material represent, along with the correct underlying structural explanation?

A) Metallic solid, because delocalized valence electrons create a cohesive electron sea throughout the lattice.

B) Ionic solid, because strong electrostatic attractions between oppositely charged ions require high thermal energy to disrupt.

C) Molecular solid, because neutral discrete molecules are held in fixed positions by directional intermolecular forces.

D) Covalent network solid, because atoms are linked throughout the entire crystal by a continuous framework of strong covalent bonds.

Types of solids (ionic, molecular, covalent network, metallic) Transitional Reasoning Practice

Chemistry · States of Matter & Solutions · Chemistry · Solids, Liquids & Phase Changes

1 Chemistry practice questions on Types of solids (ionic, molecular, covalent network, metallic). Questions that build towards applied reasoning.

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