An ionic compound is formed between a metal and a nonmetal. Write two important physical properties of this compound.
An ionic compound is formed between a metal and a nonmetal. Write two important physical properties of this compound.
1. Ionic compounds
Ionic compounds are formed from metals and non-metals by the transfer of electrons between them. The electrons removed by the metal atom are accepted by the non-metal atom such that both the atoms attain stable electronic configuration. The ratio of the number of atoms of the metal and that of non-metal in the ionic compound depends on the valency of the atoms. In the solid-state, the ionic compounds form a three-dimensional network called a crystal lattice.
2. Properties of ionic compounds
The compound is an ionic compound and therefore, the force of attraction between the ions of A and B is the electrostatic force. Therefore, its properties can be given as:
- The melting point of the compound is very high: The electrostatic force of attraction is very strong. Therefore, more energy is required to break these forces. A substance melts when it receives enough energy to break the attractive forces present in its solid form. Since a large amount of energy is required to break the electrostatic force, more energy is required for an ionic compound to melt.
- It conducts electricity in the molten and aqueous states: The electrostatic force diminishes in the molten state of an ionic compound. Therefore, the ions can move freely within the lattice. A substance becomes a conductor when it has mobile charge carriers like ions or electrons. Since ions are free to move in the molten state, it conducts electricity. In the aqueous state, the compound dissociates into cations and anions which can act as charge carriers. Therefore, the ionic compound conducts electricity in its molten and aqueous form.
1. Ionic compounds
Ionic compounds are formed from metals and non-metals by the transfer of electrons between them. The electrons removed by the metal atom are accepted by the non-metal atom such that both the atoms attain stable electronic configuration. The ratio of the number of atoms of the metal and that of non-metal in the ionic compound depends on the valency of the atoms. In the solid-state, the ionic compounds form a three-dimensional network called a crystal lattice.
2. Properties of ionic compounds
The compound is an ionic compound and therefore, the force of attraction between the ions of A and B is the electrostatic force. Therefore, its properties can be given as:
- The melting point of the compound is very high: The electrostatic force of attraction is very strong. Therefore, more energy is required to break these forces. A substance melts when it receives enough energy to break the attractive forces present in its solid form. Since a large amount of energy is required to break the electrostatic force, more energy is required for an ionic compound to melt.
- It conducts electricity in the molten and aqueous states: The electrostatic force diminishes in the molten state of an ionic compound. Therefore, the ions can move freely within the lattice. A substance becomes a conductor when it has mobile charge carriers like ions or electrons. Since ions are free to move in the molten state, it conducts electricity. In the aqueous state, the compound dissociates into cations and anions which can act as charge carriers. Therefore, the ionic compound conducts electricity in its molten and aqueous form.
