ionic compounds

• ionic compounds have a structure called a giant ionic lattice.
• the electrostatic attraction between the oppositedly charged ions is ionic bonding.
• the ions form a closely packed regular lattice arrangement and there are very strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositedly charged ions, in all directions in the lattice.
• ionic compounds all have high melting points and high boiling points due to the many strong bonds between the ions. it takes alot of energy to overcome this attraction.
• when theyre solid, the ions are held in place so the compounds conduct electricity. when ionic compounds melt, the ions are free to move and theyll carry electric charge.
• some ionic compounds also dissolve in water. the ions separate and are all free to move in the solution, so theyll carry electric charge.
• you might have to work out the empirical formula of an ionic compound from a diagram of the compound. if its a dots and cross diagram, count up how many atoms there are of each element. if you're given a 3D diagram of the ionic lattice, use it to work out what ions are in the ionic compound. then, you need to balance the charges of the ions so that the overall charge on the compound is zero.