I would say that the substance is inorganic. That is because all of its characteristics exhibit the characteristics unlike those of organic compounds and like those of inorganic compounds.
Let us look at each of the properties given above:
Odor:
Most organic compounds are volatile and may be aromatic. This means that organic compounds do mostly have odor. On the other hand, inorganic compounds are generally not volatile and most are odorless.
Solubility:
Organic compounds are mostly non-polar in nature and most inorganic compounds are polar. Water is polar (it has a dipole in its molecule: Positive hydrogen end, negative oxygen end). Now, you must already know that likes dissolve likes. Thus, water dissolves inorganic (polar) compounds but not organic compounds (which are non-polar). There are some exceptions to this rule, like ethanol and sugar which are organic. However, there molecules are slightly polar and so, they are able to dissolve in water.
Inflammability:
Organic compounds have a backbone of carbon and hydrogen and catch flame very quickly. That explains why oil and coal burn so well. However, inorganic compounds are not very inflammable. For example, if you put common table salt near a fire, it will not catch fire.
Since, all the conditions point at an inorganic compound, we conclude that the substance in question is also an inorganic compound.
Let us look at each of the properties given above:
Odor:
Most organic compounds are volatile and may be aromatic. This means that organic compounds do mostly have odor. On the other hand, inorganic compounds are generally not volatile and most are odorless.
Solubility:
Organic compounds are mostly non-polar in nature and most inorganic compounds are polar. Water is polar (it has a dipole in its molecule: Positive hydrogen end, negative oxygen end). Now, you must already know that likes dissolve likes. Thus, water dissolves inorganic (polar) compounds but not organic compounds (which are non-polar). There are some exceptions to this rule, like ethanol and sugar which are organic. However, there molecules are slightly polar and so, they are able to dissolve in water.
Inflammability:
Organic compounds have a backbone of carbon and hydrogen and catch flame very quickly. That explains why oil and coal burn so well. However, inorganic compounds are not very inflammable. For example, if you put common table salt near a fire, it will not catch fire.
Since, all the conditions point at an inorganic compound, we conclude that the substance in question is also an inorganic compound.
