Question

\[NaCl\]is an example of
(a) Ionic solid
(b) Covalent solid
(c) Metallic solid
(d) Molecular solid

Answer 1

Hint: The solid crystals in which the oppositely charged ions (cations and anions) are linked together by a strong electrostatic force of attraction is known as ionic crystal. For example, \[KCl\] is an ionic crystal in which the cation (\[{K^ + }\])is linked with an anion by the electrostatic force of attraction.

Complete Step by Step Solution:
In an ionic solid the constituent particles are bonded through an ionic bond or electrovalent bond. The ionic bond is formed by the complete transfer of valence from the electropositive atom to the electronegative atom.

The atom which donates its electrons becomes a positive charge or cation. Whereas the atom which accepts them becomes a negatively charged anion.
In ionic crystals, the electrostatic force or attraction operates between oppositely charged ions, and repulsive force operates between the like’s ions. Therefore, as a result, the ions arrange themselves in a manner that each positively charged ion becomes surrounded by a negatively charged ion and vice versa.

The ionic crystalline solid possesses overall zero charges.
The ionic crystalline solids are formed when the electronegativity difference between two atoms is greater. Whereas the covalent compounds are formed when the electronegativity is the same.

Due to the presence of a strong electrostatic force of attraction, the ionic crystalline becomes hard and non-volatile in nature.
The ionic crystalline solid is formed by the combination of nonmetals and alkali or alkaline-earth metals. For example, \[NaCl\] is an ionic crystal in which the cation (\[N{a^ + }\]) is linked with an anion by the electrostatic force of attraction.
Therefore, from the above discussion, it is quite clear that \[NaCl\]is the ionic crystal solid. Hence, option (a) will be the correct answer.

Note: The ionic crystalline solid has very high melting and boiling points. The ionic crystalline solids are polar in nature therefore they are soluble in polar solvents.