Factors Affecting Lattice Energy (CIE A Level Chemistry)

• The two key factors which affect lattice energy, ΔH_latt^ꝋ, are the charge and radius of the ions that make up the crystalline lattice

Ionic radius

• The lattice energy becomes less exothermic as the ionic radius of the ions increases
• This is because the charge on the ions is more spread out over the ion when the ions are larger
• The ions are also further apart from each other in the lattice
  • The attraction between ions is between the centres of the ions involved, so the bigger the ions the bigger the distance between the centre of the ions

• Therefore, the electrostatic forces of attraction between the oppositely charged ions in the lattice are weaker
• For example, the lattice energy of caesium fluoride (CsF) is less exothermic than the lattice energy of potassium fluoride (KF)
  • Since both compounds contain a fluoride (F^-) ion, the difference in lattice energy must be due to the caesium (Cs⁺) ion in CsF and potassium (K⁺) ion in KF
  • Potassium is a Group 1 and Period 4 element
  • Caesium is a Group 1 and Period 6 element
  • This means that the Cs⁺ ion is larger than the K⁺ ion
  • There are weaker electrostatic forces of attraction between the Cs⁺ and F^- ions compared to K⁺ and F^- ions
  • As a result, the lattice energy of CsF is less exothermic than that of KF

The lattice energies get less exothermic as the ionic radius of the ions increases

Ionic charge

• The lattice energy gets more exothermic as the ionic charge of the ions increases
• The greater the ionic charge, the higher the charge density
• This results in stronger electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions in the lattice
• As a result, the lattice energy is more exothermic
• For example, the lattice energy of calcium oxide (CaO) is more exothermic than the lattice energy of potassium chloride (KCl)
  • Calcium oxide is an ionic compound which consists of calcium (Ca²⁺) and oxide (O^2-) ions
  • Potassium chloride is formed from potassium (K⁺) and chloride (Cl^-) ions
  • The ions in calcium oxide have a greater ionic charge than the ions in potassium chloride
  • This means that the electrostatic forces of attraction are stronger between the Ca²⁺ and O^2- compared to the forces between K⁺ and Cl^-
  • Therefore, the lattice energy of calcium oxide is more exothermic, as more energy is released upon its formation from its gaseous ions
  • Ca²⁺ and O^2- are also smaller ions than K⁺ and Cl^-, so this also adds to the value for the lattice energy being more exothermic