Question

Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points because:

• A. Ionic compounds can conduct electricity in molten and solid state.
• B. In an ionic compound, cations and anions are held together in the lattice by covalent bonds
• C. In an ionic compound, cations and anions are held together in the lattice by strong electrostatic forces of attraction
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is C In an ionic compound, cations and anions are held together in the lattice by strong electrostatic forces of attraction

The complete transfer of electron/charge takes place in the formation of an ionic bond. Hence, the anions and the cations are bonded or held together in a lattice structure by strong electrostatic forces of attraction which requires large amount of energy to break. This leads to very high melting and boiling point of ionic solids.