Question

Why are ionic compounds hard and brittle?

Answer 1

1.Ionic compounds are the compounds which are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to the other where one atom loses electrons to form cations and whereas the other atom gains electrons to form an anion.

2.In ionic compounds, there exists a strong electrostatic forces of attraction between cation and anion which combines them to form a molecule.

3.These ions are held in fixed positions in a solid crystal lattice form and hence they are hard and on applying pressure, the alignment of ions gets shifted and results in brittleness.

4.Hence, ionic compounds are hard and brittle.