Which solids are formed by metal and nonmetal with strong electrostatic attractions between ions?

Which solids are formed by metal and nonmetal with strong electrostatic attractions between ions?

• A. Molecular solids
• B. Covalent network solids
• C. Ionic solids
• D. Metallic solids

Answer: (C)

Ionic bonding between a metal and a nonmetal forms solids held together by strong electrostatic attractions between positively and negatively charged ions. In these solids, metals tend to lose electrons to become cations, while nonmetals gain electrons to become anions, and the resulting opposite charges attract to create a stable crystal lattice. This strong ion–ion attraction gives ionic solids high lattice energies, which translates to high melting points. The ions are fixed in place in the solid, so they don’t conduct electricity until the solid is melted or dissolved, where the ions can move. This differs from molecular solids, where neutral molecules are held together by weaker intermolecular forces; from covalent network solids, where atoms are linked by a continuous network of covalent bonds; and from metallic solids, where atoms share a sea of delocalized electrons rather than forming discrete ions.

Ionic bonding between a metal and a nonmetal forms solids held together by strong electrostatic attractions between positively and negatively charged ions. In these solids, metals tend to lose electrons to become cations, while nonmetals gain electrons to become anions, and the resulting opposite charges attract to create a stable crystal lattice. This strong ion–ion attraction gives ionic solids high lattice energies, which translates to high melting points. The ions are fixed in place in the solid, so they don’t conduct electricity until the solid is melted or dissolved, where the ions can move.

This differs from molecular solids, where neutral molecules are held together by weaker intermolecular forces; from covalent network solids, where atoms are linked by a continuous network of covalent bonds; and from metallic solids, where atoms share a sea of delocalized electrons rather than forming discrete ions.