2. Properties of ionic compounds

Available for over a year

In this episode, Dr Sunayana Bhargava and Tulela Pea explore the properties of ionic compounds. Suitable for: AQA, Edexcel, OCR. For more information on properties of ionic compounds, check out the BBC Bitesize website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/ztc6w6f/revision/4 Key learning objectives discussed in this episode include: - An ionic compound is a giant structure of ions. Ionic compounds are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions. These forces act in all directions in the lattice and this is called ionic bonding. - Students should be able to describe the limitations of using dot and cross, ball and stick, two and three-dimensional diagrams to represent a giant ionic structure. - Students should be familiar with the structure of sodium chloride but do not need to know the structures of other ionic compounds. Ionic compounds have high melting points and high boiling points because of the large amounts of energy needed to break the many strong bonds. - When melted or dissolved in water, ionic compounds conduct electricity because the ions are free to move and so charge can flow.