CLASS 8 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE
Salts and crystal lattices – basic principles
How it works
Salts consist of positively and negatively charged ions held together by ionic bonds. These are often metal ions and nonmetal ions, but there are also salts with polyatomic ions such as ammonium or sulfate. In the solid state, salts form a regular crystal lattice. Properties such as high melting points, brittleness and electrical conductivity in the molten or dissolved state are connected with this lattice structure. Well-known examples are sodium chloride (table salt) and magnesium oxide.
Note
Typical salts are composed of cations and anions that arrange themselves into an electrically neutral substance. In the solid state they form a crystal lattice. Salts can, for example, form in reactions of metals with nonmetals or in neutralization reactions.
Typical salts are composed of cations and anions that arrange themselves into an electrically neutral substance. In the solid state they form a crystal lattice. Salts can, for example, form in reactions of metals with nonmetals or in neutralization reactions.
An example
Which substance forms a typical ionic lattice in the solid state?
Sodium chloride forms an ionic lattice in the solid state because it consists of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions that are regularly arranged.
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Chemistry. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.