Question

Write the characteristic of ionic crystals.

Answer 1

Hint: Ionic crystals a type of crystal. The consisting ion in the crystal lattice is held together by electrostatic or coulombic force of attraction. Ionic crystals have a regular arrangement of ions. These solids are hard and have a high melting point.

Complete step by step answer:
Ionic crystals are the crystal that consists of ions. These ions are bound together by the electrostatic attraction. Some of the examples of ionic crystal are alkali halide such as potassium fluoride, potassium chloride, potassium bromide, potassium iodide, sodium fluoride, etc.
Some of the properties of the ionic crystal are as follows,
1) Ionic crystals are made of charged particles which are called ions. Thus ionic crystals are composed of cation and anion. These ions are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction. This is also known as ionic bonding.
2) The arrangement of the ions in the crystal lattice depends on the size or the radius ratio of positive and negative ions.
3) Stability of ionic crystals depend on the lattice energy .Lattice energy is the amount of energy required to separate the cation and anion from ionic crystals.
For example, when sodium ions and chloride ions react to form sodium chloride, $\text{ 787 kJ/mol }$ energy is released.
$\text{ N}{{\text{a}}^{\text{+}}}\text{(g) + C}{{\text{l}}^{-}}(g)\text{ }\to \text{NaCl(g) + 787 kJ }$
The larger magnitude of lattice energy depends on the strength of the coulombic force of attraction between the charges. The release in energy stabilized the ionic crystal. This is the energy that breaks apart the ionic crystal into its ions.
4) Ionic crystals have a strong interaction between the ions. They are poor conductors of electricity. as an ionic crystal does not contain a free ion.
5) They can absorb infrared radiation.IR radiation eases the cleavage of the bond.
5) Ionic crystals are hard. They have a high melting point.

Note: Note that ionic crystals have a definite arrangement of ions in the crystal lattice.in molten state ionic crystals can carry the ions. Thus in molten state ionic crystals acts as a good conductor of electricity. But in a crystal state, they are poor conductors of electricity.