Properties of ionic compounds
- Ionic compounds are hard
crystalline solids with flat sides and regular shapes because the ions are arranged
in straight rows in strong ionic bonds.
- Ionic compounds have very
high melting points and boiling points.
- The strong forces holding
ionic compounds prevent them to evaporate easily. Hence, ionic compounds have
no smell.
- Solid ionic compounds don’t
conduct electricity but they do when they are aqueous or molten. This is
because in liquid/aqueous state the ions which conduct electricity are free to
move. In solids, these ions are fixed in place.
- Ionic compounds are soluble
in water but insoluble in organic compounds. This is because the ions attract water
molecules which disrupt the crystal structure, causing them separate & go
into solution. Vice versa is when in organic solvent.
