BRAINCAKEGiant Ionic Lattices
Ions attract oppositely charged ions in all directions resulting in a giant ionic lattice. An ionic bond is non-directional. Each ion is surrounded by ions of the opposite charge.
These strong electrostatic forces of attraction mean that ionic compounds have a high melting and boiling point. Almost all ionic compounds are solids at room temperature. Lattices containing ions with greater charges have higher melting points. The size of the electrostatic attraction is greater for smaller ions.
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More in Discrete Molecules
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- Dissolving Ionic Solids
- Metallic Lattices
- Giant Covalent Lattices
- Diamond
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All 25 lessons in Discrete Molecules · All Edexcel AS-level Chemistry topics