Question

Comment on the following property of ionic compounds and give a reason in support of your answer:

Physical nature

Answer 1

Comment: Ionic compounds are generally hard, brittle, and crystalline solids at room temperature.

Reason:

1. Strong Attraction: They consist of oppositely charged ions (cations and anions) held together by very strong electrostatic forces of attraction.
2. Crystal Lattice: These forces arrange the ions into a highly organized 3D crystal lattice structure, which makes them solid and hard.
3. Brittleness: They are brittle because applying pressure shifts the ions, causing similar charges to align and repel each other, which shatters the crystal.