2.7 - Ionic Compounds
The properties of an ionic compound
- An ionic compound is built from huge numbers of ions packed together into a giant structure.
- Ionic compounds share a characteristic set of properties.
High melting and boiling points
- Ionic compounds have high melting points and high boiling points.
- Sodium chloride (table salt) melts at 801 °C and boils at 1,413 °C.
Soluble in water
Most ionic compounds dissolve in water.
Conducting electricity
- As a solid, an ionic compound can't conduct electricity.
- When molten or dissolved in water, it conducts electricity.
