Final answer:
Methanol is a molecular compound with the molecular formula CH3OH. It is covalent, formed by nonmetal atoms, has a lower melting point compared to ionic compounds, and does not conduct electricity in the solid state.
Step-by-step explanation:
Methanol is a molecular compound. The molecule can be identified as an organic compound that contains a -OH group and has the molecular formula CH3OH. It is a covalent substance because it is composed of nonmetal atoms (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) that share electrons. In terms of physical properties, molecular compounds like methanol generally have lower melting points than ionic compounds and do not conduct electricity when solid.
Methanol does not dissociate into ions in water, which is a behavior characteristic of ionic compounds, confirming its molecular nature. Moreover, molecular compounds tend to form between nonmetals while ionic compounds form between metals and nonmetals.