Ionic compounds

• What structure do ionic compounds have?


  Giant ionic lattice.
• The ions form a closely packed regular lattice arrangement and there are very strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions in all directions of the lattice.
• What model can be used to represent an ionic lattice?


  Ball and stick model.
• What are the boiling and melting points of ionic compounds like?


  High.
• Why do ionic compounds have high boiling and melting points?


  Strong electrostatic forces between ions.
• When solid, the compounds can’t conduct electricity but when melted, the ions are free to move and can carry electric charge.
• Some ionic compounds can dissolve in water, where the ions separate and are all free to move so they’ll carry electric charge.
• How can you work out the empirical formula of of an ionic compound?


  Count up the amount of atoms of each element.