Hardness - it takes a lot of energy to scratch
the surface because of the strong attractive
structures having a tree-dimensional
network of covalent bonds throughout the
whole structure
high melting and boiling point - there is
strong covalent boding throughout the
carbon atoms. A lot of energy is needed to
overcome these strong bonds
low boiling and melting point- This is
because the forces between the molecules
are weak intermolecular forces. Very little
energy is needed to overcome the weak
intermolecular forces between the molecules
forces keeping the ions together
Brittle - the layers of ions may be displaced
by the force of the blow so that ions with the
same charge come together. The repulsions
between thousands of ions in the layers, all
with the same charge, cause the crystals to
split along these cleavage planes.
Ionic lattices high melting and boiling points - This is
because the attraction between the large
numbers of oppositely charged ions in the
lattice acts in all directions and bonds them
strongly together.
soluble in water - because they from ion-
dipole bonds
giant molecular structure
conduct electricity when molten or in solution
Structure of solid malleability - When a force is applied, the
layers can slide over each other. The
attractive forces between the metal ions and
Metallic lattices the delocalised electrons act in all directions.
simple molecular lattices So when the layers slide, new metallic bonds
are easily re-formed between ions in new
lattice positions and the delocalised electrons
a mixture of two or more metals or a metal
with a non-metal
alloy The presence of different-sized metal ions
makes the arrangement of the lattice less
regular. This stops the layers of ions from
sliding over each other so easily when a
force is applied