Mistake Master
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Properties of Solids

▶︎  Watch it animatedinteractive step-through · ~3 min · optional

A solid's properties follow from the particles it is built from and the forces holding them. Ionic solids are lattices of ions; molecular solids are molecules held by IMFs; covalent network solids are bonded throughout (diamond, quartz); metallic solids are cations in an electron sea. Each type has a signature melting point, hardness, and electrical behavior.

UNIT 3 TOPIC 3.2 • PROPERTIES OF SOLIDS SOLID SORTER Solids are classified by the particles and the bonds that hold them together. IONIC Ions in a lattice + − + − + − + − + High melting point Hard and brittle Conducts only when molten or dissolved MOLECULAR Discrete molecules (IMFs) Low melting point Soft Poor conductor METALLIC Cations in electron sea + + + + + + + + + Variable, often high Malleable, not brittle Excellent conductor (solid and liquid) COVALENT-NETWORK Extended covalent bonds Very high melting point Very hard Usually poor conductor IONIC MOLECULAR METALLIC COVALENT-NET MELTING POINT High Low Variable, often high Very high CONDUCTIVITY Only molten / dissolved Poor Excellent (s and l) Usually poor HARDNESS Hard, brittle Soft Malleable Very hard CED ANCHOR Bonding type dictates a solid's macroscopic properties (SAP-3). AP Chemistry · Unit 3 · Properties of Substances & Mixtures
Solids sorted by what holds them together: ionic lattices (high-melting, brittle, conduct only when molten), molecular solids (soft, low-melting, held by IMFs), covalent networks (very hard, very high-melting), and metals (conduct, malleable). The particle model predicts each property.
Solid Sorter · Open the sandbox →

The mistakes come from misreading the particle-level picture — treating a molecular solid as if ions held it, or expecting a network solid to melt like a molecular one. Identify the particles and the force between them first, and the properties follow.

The work

3 ways in · any order
Lesson
Properties of Solids ›

Ionic, molecular, covalent-network, and metallic solids each have a particle-level cause for their properties. The lesson matches structure to melting point, hardness, and conductivity, then closes with a ten-scenario check.

Skill check · 10 scenarios
Open lesson →
Diagnostic
10-item topic check ›

Ten items on classifying solids: matching ionic, molecular, covalent-network, and metallic solids to their properties, and reading the particle model correctly.

Not started · 10 items · ~15 min
Start diagnostic →
Targeted Practice
Drill a single misconception ›

Pick one of the failure modes you missed and drill it on its own. The round is adaptive: two correct in a row clears the misconception and moves you to the next.

Take the diagnostic to identify your misconceptions
Diagnostic first