Ionic Solids Full Summary

Question 1

Type Of Particles:

Answer 1

Ions (metal cations and non-metal anions)

Question 2

Forces Of Attraction Between Particles:

Answer 2

• Ionic bonding

- Electrostatic attractions between metal cations and non-metal anions to form a large lattice structure

Question 3

Electrical Conductivity:

Answer 3

• Solid ionic compounds have ions fixed in positions, so they don’t conduct electricity
• Molten or dissolved ionic solids will have ions that are freely moving, so they will conduct electricity

Question 4

Melting/Boiling Point:

Answer 4

High melting/boiling points due to the very strong ionic bonds so a lot of energy is required to break these bonds

Question 5

Solubility In Water:

Answer 5

Solubility varies

Question 6

Toughness:

Answer 6

• Ionic solids are hard and brittle
• When pressure is applied (eg, by a hammer), the ions will move so the cations are next to cations and the anions are next to anions, causing the like charges to repel and the lattice to break