Properties of Ionic Compounds (AQA A Level Chemistry)

Ionic Lattice Structures

• Most ionic, metallic and covalent solids are crystalline lattices

• The ions, atoms or molecules are arranged in a regular and repeating arrangement

Giant ionic lattices

• An ionic bond is an electrostatic force of attraction between a positively charged metal (cation) ion and a negatively charged non-metal (anion) ion

  • The metal becomes positively charged as it transfers electrons to the non-metal which then becomes negatively charged

  • When an ionic compound is formed, the attraction between the ions happens in all directions

• Ionic compounds are arranged in giant ionic lattices (also called giant ionic structures)

• The type of lattice formed depends on the sizes of the positive and negative ions which are arranged in an alternating fashion

  • The ionic lattice of MgO and NaCl are cubic

Ionic lattices of the ionic compounds NaCl and MgO

General ionic lattice which shows the actual packing of the ions