Structure and Properties of Ionic Compound

Question 1

Ions are charged…

St

Answer 1

1. atoms or molecules

2. because they have a different number of protons and electrons

Question 2

What happens if there are more protons than electrons? (St)

Answer 2

It will have an overall positive charge

Question 3

What are cations?

Answer 3

A positive ion

Question 4

What are anions?

Answer 4

A negative ion

Question 5

In ionic compounds what is each cation surrouunded by? (St)

Answer 5

A set number of anions and vice versa

Question 6

What is an ionic bond? (St)

Answer 6

The strong electrostatic attractions between the oppositely charged ions are referred to as ionic bonds.

Question 7

What are the properties of an ionic compound? (P)

Answer 7

• Characteristically hard due to strong electrostatic attractions between anions and cations.
• Relatively high melting and boiling points also due to strong electrostatic attractions.

Question 8

Are Ionic substances poor conductors of electricity? (P)

Answer 8

Yes, they are poor conductors in solid form because of their charged particles held in fixed positions and can’t move, HOWEVER, in liquid or aqueus form the charged particles are free to move and a good conductors.

Question 9

Why are ionic compounds brittle? (P)

Answer 9

If the top layer is pusehd down into the next layer, all the positive or negative ions are aligned. This like-charge repulsion causes the ionic lattice to shatter, therefore why it is brittle.