Describe how the arrangement of ions in a giant ionic lattice contributes to the properties of sodium chloride.

In a giant ionic lattice, the strong electrostatic forces between the oppositely charged ions result in high melting and boiling points for sodium chloride. The rigid structure also makes it brittle, as applying force can shift the layers and cause like charges to repel each other.

This answer explains the relationship between the ionic lattice structure and the physical properties of sodium chloride, testing the student's ability to apply knowledge of ionic bonding to real-world examples.