What states of matter are most covalent compounds found in at room temperature?

Covalent compounds, which are formed through the sharing of electrons between atoms, can be found in various states of matter at room temperature. Most small covalent compounds, such as those formed by nonmetals like water (H₂O) or carbon dioxide (CO₂), are often found as gases or liquids. This is because the intermolecular forces that hold these molecules together are relatively weak compared to ionic or metallic compounds.

The weaker intermolecular forces allow many covalent compounds to vaporize easily or remain in a liquid state under standard conditions. Larger covalent compounds, such as polymers or networks like diamond and graphite, may exist as solids due to their higher molecular weight and stronger bonding networks. However, the key point is that at room temperature, many common covalent compounds demonstrate diverse states, notably as gases (like CO₂) and liquids (like H₂O), accounting for a significant number of covalent substances. This variety explains why gases and liquids are representative states of matter for most covalent compounds at room temperature.