Chemistry / Unit 8 Chem 1454 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Ionic Solids
Captions available
The idea
An ionic solid is held by electrostatic attraction between ions, giving high melting points and hardness combined with brittleness.
In practice
Sodium chloride does not conduct as a solid, since its ions sit fixed, but conducts once melted or dissolved.
Where people slip
Ionic solids shatter rather than bend, since shifting a layer of ions misaligns like charges into repulsion.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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