Question

1. which characteristic(s) is/are properties of a molecular compound? select all that apply.

has a low boiling point temperature
forms a crystal lattice structure
exists as a liquid or gas at room temperature
can conduct electricity as a solid

Explanation:

1. has a low boiling point temperature: Molecular compounds are held together by weak intermolecular forces (like London dispersion, dipole - dipole, or hydrogen bonds). These weak forces require less energy to break, so molecular compounds generally have low boiling points. For example, water (a molecular compound) has a boiling point of 100°C, and many organic molecular compounds like methane have very low boiling points.
2. forms a crystal lattice structure: Crystal lattice structures are characteristic of ionic compounds (and some network covalent compounds like diamond or quartz). Ionic compounds have a repeating pattern of ions in a lattice due to strong ionic bonds. Molecular compounds do not form crystal lattices because their molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces, not the strong bonds that lead to lattice formation.
3. exists as a liquid or gas at room temperature: Due to the weak intermolecular forces, many molecular compounds have low enough melting and boiling points that they are liquids (like water) or gases (like carbon dioxide) at room temperature. The weak forces mean that the molecules don't have a strong attraction to hold them in a solid state at typical room conditions.
4. can conduct electricity as a solid: To conduct electricity, a substance needs to have mobile charged particles (ions or electrons). Molecular compounds in the solid state have molecules that are neutral, and there are no mobile ions or electrons. Ionic compounds conduct electricity when molten or in solution (because ions are mobile), and metals conduct electricity due to mobile electrons, but molecular compounds do not conduct electricity as solids.

So the correct options are the ones with "has a low boiling point temperature" and "exists as a liquid or gas at room temperature".

Answer:

• has a low boiling point temperature
• exists as a liquid or gas at room temperature