Characteristics of Ionic Compounds

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All Ionic compounds tend to have the following characteristics.

1. Usually solid at room temperature forming a crystal lattice structure.
   
   To view a crystal lattice graphic of NaCl click here
   
   
   
2. Most ionic compounds are brittle and break under stress
   
   
   
   
   This is because the oppositely charged ions which are lined up to attract to each other are forced to shift position and then likes are lined up and repel, causing the crystal to shatter.

3. Usually soluable in water, the polar water molecule pulls the cations and anions apart to cause dissociation.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Ionic compounds conduct electricity when dissociated or molten.
   
   This site is good for further information on conductivity.click here
   
   
   
5. Usually have very high melting points (unlike covalent compounds)
   
   Sodium chloride, NaCl, melts at 801^oC
   
   
   

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   For additional information on the characteristics of Ionic Compounds (specifically NaCl) visit the following website, by clicking here
   
   
   

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