Question

making models
sodium chloride (table salt) and vanillin (the
main component of vanilla bean extract) behave
very differently. some of their properties are
listed in the table below.
comparing two chemicals
jot down why you think these two
substances behave so differently.
consider differences in melting point, boiling
point, and conductivity.

Explanation:

Sodium chloride is an ionic compound. Ionic compounds have strong ionic bonds. These bonds require a lot of energy to break, resulting in high melting and boiling points. Also, when in solution (or molten), the ions can move and conduct electricity. Vanillin is a molecular (covalent) compound. Molecular compounds have relatively weak intermolecular forces (compared to ionic bonds). Weak intermolecular forces mean less energy is needed to change the state (lower melting and boiling points). In molecular compounds, there are no free - moving charged particles (in the solid or liquid state, assuming no dissociation) to conduct electricity.

Answer:

Sodium chloride is an ionic compound with strong ionic bonds (high melting/boiling points, good conductivity when ions are free). Vanillin is a molecular compound with weak intermolecular forces (low melting/boiling points, poor conductivity as no free - moving charged particles).