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Question

Why are some covalent compounds soluble in water and others are not?

Step-by-Step Solution

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Answer

The covalent compounds which do not contain any polar bonds are insoluble in water. Covalent compounds which contain polar bonds are soluble in water.

1Define the Covalent compounds

Covalent compounds are formed by covalent bonding between two or more atoms.A covalent bond between two atoms is formed by the equal sharing of electrons from both atoms. The pair of electrons which participates in bonding is called a shared pair or bonding pair. The sharing of electrons can be done between the same kind of atoms or between different kinds of atoms.

2Determine the solubility of covalent compounds in water

Covalent compounds do not dissociate into ions as ionic compound does but some covalent compound contain polar bonds in their molecules due to which they become soluble in water like sugar, alcohol, etc. but most of the covalent compounds which do not contain any polar bonds are insoluble in water like benzene, octane, etc.