What are the properties of covalent solids?

Covalent solids are materials where atoms are held together by strong covalent bonds, forming a network structure.

Key Properties:

1. Hardness: Covalent solids are typically hard and have high melting points due to the strong covalent bonds between atoms.
2. Brittleness: They are often brittle because when enough force is applied, the covalent bonds break.
3. Electrical Insulation: Covalent solids are generally poor conductors of electricity because there are no free electrons to carry current.
4. High Melting and Boiling Points: The strong covalent bonds require a lot of energy to break, leading to high melting points.

Example:

• Diamond is an example of a covalent solid. It has an extremely hard structure and is an excellent insulator.