Which of the following is a property of an ionic compound?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) It has a high melting point and boiling point.

Explanation:
Ionic compounds are formed by the electrostatic attraction between positively and negatively charged ions. Their lattice structures are strong and require significant energy to break, resulting in high melting and boiling points.

Information Booster

• Key Properties of Ionic Compounds:

  • Hardness: Ionic compounds are hard but can break along specific planes, as they are brittle due to the rigid lattice structure.
  • Melting and Boiling Points: They exhibit high melting and boiling points because of the strong ionic bonds between oppositely charged ions.
  • Solubility: Generally soluble in polar solvents like water but insoluble in non-polar solvents like kerosene and petrol.
  • Electrical Conductivity: They do not conduct electricity in the solid state but conduct when molten or dissolved in water because the ions are free to move.

• Examples of Ionic Compounds:

  • Sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium bromide (KBr), magnesium oxide (MgO).

• Why They Do Not Conduct Electricity in the Solid State:

  • In the solid state, ions are fixed in the lattice and cannot move freely, making them poor conductors of electricity.

​Additional Information:​

• (A) Correct but incomplete; ionic compounds are hard but can break easily when stress is applied.
• (C) Incorrect; ionic compounds are insoluble in kerosene and petrol.
• (D) Incorrect; they do not conduct electricity in the solid state.