BRAINCAKEIonic Lattices
In an ionic compound each ion attracts oppositely charged ions in all directions. Ionic bonding is non-directional, so the ions build up into a regular, repeating three-dimensional arrangement called a giant ionic lattice.
Each ion is surrounded by ions of the opposite charge and held in place by strong electrostatic forces of attraction. The lattice is described as giant because it contains an enormous number of ions, and there are no separate molecules.
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Key terms in this lesson
- Ionic bonding
- The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
More in Bonding
- Ionic Bonding
- Sodium Chloride
- Magnesium Oxide
- Properties of Ionic Compounds
- Covalent bonds and Small Molecules
- Single and Double Covalent Bonds
- Co-ordinate Bonding
- Metallic Bonding
All 30 lessons in Bonding · All AQA AS-level Chemistry topics