ionic compounds

• All ionic compounds are giant ionic lattices with rows of positive and negative ions in three dimensions. The electrostatic attraction spreads throughout the compound. Every positive ion is attracted to every negative ion.
• High Melting points and boiling points

  Because the electrostatic attraction between ions is so strong a lot of energy is needed to break these bonds, so ionic compounds have high melting points and boiling points.
• Solubility

  Ionic compounds will dissolve in water. A molecule of water has small positive and negative charges which will dissolve the positive and negative ions (like dissolves like).
• Electrical conductivity

  Electricity is a flow of charged particles. Solid ionic compounds do not conduct electricity because their ions cannot move.

  When ionic compounds are molten or in solution they do conduct electricity as the ions are free to move.
• Factors that affect ionic bond strength:

  1. The larger the charge on the ions, the stronger the electrostatic attraction
  2. The smaller the ion, the stronger the electrostatic attraction