Question

(a) List three properties of ionic compounds.
(b) Show the formation of $NaCl$ by transfer of electron
(c) How is it that ionic compounds in the solid state do not conduct electricity but they do so when in molten state?

Answer 1

(a) Three properties of ionic compounds:

(1) They have high melting and boiling points.

(2) They form crystal lattices and not molecules.

(3) They conduct electricity when dissolved in water or in molten state.

(b) Formation of $NaCl$:

$Na⟶N{a}^{+}+e^{-}$

$Cl+e^{-}⟶C{l}^{-}$

$\Rightarrow N{a}^{+}+C{l}^{-}⟶NaCl$

(c) In solid state, the ions in the compounds are not free to move and are held in crystal lattices. When in molten state, they become mobile and thus conduct electricity.