CHARACTERISTICS OF IONIC COMPOUNDS

1. Ionic bonds or compounds are only formed between atoms of group 1, 2 and 3, which are metals, and atoms of 5, 6 and 7, which are non-metals.

2. When an ionic compound is dissolved in water, they dissociate (i.e split/separate) into opposite charged hydrated ions, which makes them a good conductor of electricity (electrolyte) in this state.

3. Because of their charged ions being opposite, the ions are held together by strong electrostatic force, which gives them the shape of giant crystalline solids at room/normal temperature, 250C.

4. They have high melting and boiling points due to the strong electrostatic forces holding the ions together. Ionic compounds are solid at room temperature because of strong electrostatic force holding them tightly together. For an ionic to melt or boil, the electrostatic force must be broken, which will result to change in physical start of the compound into liquid or gas.

5. In their solid state, they cannot conduct electricity because they are neutral and stable, and cannot form mobile ions. They can only be mobile ions if in their fused/molten and aqueous state.

6. They are polar, and therefore dissolve only in polar solvents like water and alcohol.