Ionization terminology

[Amaton]

Coming from a confused introductory chemistry student...

 

My problem began while I was reading over the chapter on aqueous reactions. Rather than go into chronological detail about my confusion, I'll just ask the more fundamental questions first to see if there's a root misconception involved.

 

1) Okay, so when a compound is said to be molecular, it contains covalent bonds. (so, "covalent" and "molecular" are, in a sense, interchangeable) Correct?

 

2) Ionization vs dissociation: An ionic electrolyte dissociates in aqueous solution, while a molecular electrolyte is said to ionize. Is this right? I'm not sure if the terms are somewhat interchangeable or if they're even precise, but it seems to make sense... A molecular compound consists of covalently bonded atoms, so when such an electrolyte breaks up into ions, it changes i.e. ionizes. On the other hand, ions are already present in some form with an ionic compound, so there's not really any "ionization" going on -- the component ions simply need to separate, i.e. "dissociate". Am I picking this up correctly? Or is there no hard-cut distinction between the terms?

 

3) Are acids ionic or molecular compounds? And what of bases?

Edited September 14, 2013 by Amaton

[Iota]

1) Molecules are formed covalently, but the terms are not interchangeable, they're related.

 

2) Ionisation is where a chemical species becomes charged by some means.

Dissociation is the splitting of certain compounds into ions.

 

3) Hydrochloric acid is a covalent molecule. In its standard state it is a gaseous molecule; when mixed in a solvent, such as water, it becomes an aqueous mixture. It is therefore both covalent, a molecule, and dissociates into ions. It is not itself an ionic compound, however, because in its standard state, it is not ionic, it is covalent.

[Amaton]

1) Molecules are formed covalently, but the terms are not interchangeable, they're related.

 

2) Ionisation is where a chemical species becomes charged by some means.

Dissociation is the splitting of certain compounds into ions.

 

3) Hydrochloric acid is a covalent molecule. In its standard state it is a gaseous molecule; when mixed in a solvent, such as water, it becomes an aqueous mixture. It is therefore both covalent, a molecule, and dissociates into ions. It is not itself an ionic compound, however, because in its standard state, it is not ionic, it is covalent.

 

Thank you.