properties of ionic compounds

• Ionic compounds

  Form giant ionic lattices
• Giant ionic lattice

  • Every positive ion is surrounded by negative ions
  • Every negative ion is surrounded by positive ions
  • Three-dimensional structure
• Electrostatic forces of attraction

  • Strong forces of attraction between positive and negative ions
  • Also called ionic bonds
  • Act in all directions
• Heating an ionic solid

  Particles vibrate with enough energy to break the electrostatic forces of attraction, causing the solid to melt
• Melting and boiling points of ionic compounds

  Very high because a great deal of heat energy is required to break the strong electrostatic forces of attraction
• Ionic compounds cannot conduct electricity when solids because the ions are locked in place by the strong electrostatic forces of attraction
• Ionic compounds can conduct electricity when melted or dissolved in water because the ions can now move and carry the electrical charge
• In ionic compounds, it is the ions that move to conduct electricity, not electrons