Question detail
What is the primary reason for the high melting point of ionic compounds?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Bonding
Question
- A. Strong covalent bonds between atoms
- B. Weak intermolecular forces
- C. Strong electrostatic forces in the ionic lattice
- D. Low ionic radius of the ions
Answer
Strong electrostatic forces in the ionic lattice
Explanation
The high melting point of ionic compounds is due to the strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the oppositely charged ions in the ionic lattice, which require a significant amount of energy to overcome.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Ionic Lattice Strength
Students often confuse the strength of ionic lattices with the size of the ions alone, neglecting the effect of charge.
To correctly explain ionic lattice strength, remember that it is influenced by both the charge of the ions and their ionic radii. Use the formula for lattice energy, which indicates that higher charges lead to stronger attractions. For example, when comparing NaCl and MgO, MgO has a higher lattice energy due to the +2 charge on Mg compared to the +1 charge on Na. Therefore, the ionic lattice strength increases with higher ionic charges and smaller ionic radii.
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