Question

What are the properties of ionic compounds?

Answer 1

Hint : The properties of ionic compounds are governed by the magnitude of forces of attraction present in between the ions. Certain factors cause dissociation of these ions making the properties of these compounds different from other neutral compounds.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Ionic compounds are compounds made from the reaction of oppositely charged ions. These compounds contain strong electrostatic forces of attraction and involve the complete transfer of electrons from one atom or molecule to another. Unlike covalent bonds, there is no sharing of electrons between the constituent elements. The cation completely loses one or more electrons and becomes positively charged and the anion completely gains one or more electrons to become negatively charged but the overall compound d is always neutral.
The general properties of ionic compounds are as follows:
Physical nature: Ionic compounds mainly exist in the solid form and are extremely hard due the presence of strong attractive forces (electrostatic forces) between the oppositely charged ions. These compounds do not have a tendency to handle pressure and change its shape and are therefore brittle in nature.
Melting and boiling points- The strong electrostatic forces present inside the ionic compounds are difficult to overcome and require huge amounts of energy to bring about a change of state. Hence ionic compounds have exceptionally high melting and boiling points.
Solubility: The ions tend to dissociate inside water and get extensively hydrated due to their charges. The high hydration enthalpy released brings about a stabilization effect making ionic compounds highly soluble in water.
Conduction of electricity: Electricity can be conducted by mobile charges only. Ionic compounds in their aqueous solutions are present as dissociated ions which are free to move and hence conduct electricity in the form of solutions. In the solid or molten form the ions are not well separated, maintaining neutrality and not giving ions enough space to move due to which they do not conduct electricity in their solid or molten form.

Note :
Ionic compounds are made from a combination of metallic as well as nonmetallic elements that have opposite physical and chemical properties. But once the compound is formed, the native properties of the elements are lost.