Properties of Ionic Compounds Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What type of structure do ionic compounds have?

A regular giant ionic lattice.

What holds the particles together in a giant ionic lattice?

Strong electrostatic forces of attraction in all directions between oppositely charged ions.

Why do ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points?

Large amounts of energy are needed to break the many strong electrostatic forces between the ions in the giant lattice.

When do ionic compounds conduct electricity, and why?

When melted or dissolved in water, because the ions are then free to move so charge can flow.

True or false? Solid sodium chloride conducts electricity.

False. The ions are held in fixed positions in the lattice, so they are not free to move and carry charge.

True or false? An ionic compound dissolved in water conducts electricity because its electrons are free to move.

False. It conducts because the ions are free to move and carry the charge.