Question

What characteristics do solid ionic compounds share?

Answer 1

Answer:

• Form crystals.
• HIgh boiling point and melting points
• Bad conductors of electricity
• High hardness

Explanation:

Just a brief introduction to remember what the ionic compounds are. Ionic compounds are the compounds formed by ionic bonds, i.e. the eletrostatic attraction between cations (positivie ions) and anions (negative ions). The ionic compounds are mostly either oxides or salts. An example of an ionic oxide is CaO, and an example of an ionic salt is NaCl.

The strength of the ionic bonds is responsible for most of the characteristics of these compounds. These are the most common characteristics that solid ionic compounds share:

• They form cristals: the ionic compounds form long networks of atoms very organized, instead of individual units. That is why you must not refer to these compounds as molecules.

• HIgh boiling and melting points: because high energy is required to separate the ions, and form the new state.

• Bad conductors of electricity: since the ions are in fixed position, they do not carry charges (the charges are not moving), so in solid state, the ionic compounds are bad conductors (but in aqueous solution they are very good conductors).

• Hardness: crystals are relatively hard and when they are hammered they brake apart.