Ionic compounds - structures and properties

Question 1

Ionic compounds are made of…

Answer 1

a metal and a non-metal.

Question 2

Any ionic compound has an overall charge of…

Answer 2

0

Question 3

Ionic compounds always have/consist of…

Answer 3

giant ionic lattices.

Question 4

Give 3 examples

Answer 4

(Any metal/non-metal compound) Sodium chloride, calcium oxide, potassium sulphide

Question 5

Describe the structure of an ionic compound

Answer 5

Ionic compounds consist of a giant lattice structure and are in a regular arrangement and are held together by very strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the oppositely charged positive metal ions and negative non-metal ions in all directions.

Question 6

Why does a named ionic compound have a high melting/boiling point?

Answer 6

A high temperature (energy) is required to overcome the very strong electrostatic forces (in all directions) between the positively charged metal ions and negatively charged non-metal ions in the giant lattice structure.

Question 7

Why does an ionic compound not conduct electricity when solid but does so when molten or dissolved?

Answer 7

The ions must be free to conduct electricity. The ions are not free to move unless the ionic compound is melted or dissolved.

Question 8

Why is an ionic compound brittle if ‘struck’ hard?

Answer 8

When struck the ions go out of ‘opposite alignment’ and the attractive forces become repulsive forces along a certain point of the lattice.