Ionic compounds have several general properties. Here are four of them:
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High Melting and Boiling Points: Ionic compounds typically have high melting and boiling points due to the strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the positively and negatively charged ions in the lattice structure.
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Solubility in Water: Many ionic compounds are soluble in water. When dissolved, they dissociate into individual ions, making them conductive in solution.
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Electrical Conductivity: Ionic compounds conduct electricity when melted or dissolved in water because the ions are free to move. In solid form, they do not conduct electricity since the ions are held in fixed positions within the lattice structure.
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Brittleness: Ionic compounds are generally brittle. When a force is applied, the layers of ions can shift, causing like charges to align and repel each other. This results in the compound breaking or shattering rather than deforming.