Question detail

Which of the following properties is characteristic of ionic compounds?

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

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At a glance

MCQ

Type

practice

Style

Topic

Bonding

Question

A. They are good conductors of electricity in solid state.
B. They have low melting and boiling points.
C. They are soluble in water.
D. They form molecules with covalent bonds.

Answer

They are soluble in water.

Explanation

Ionic compounds tend to be soluble in water due to the polar nature of water molecules, which can surround and separate the ions in the lattice, allowing them to dissolve.

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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