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Why does sodium chloride

have brittle crystals?

Question:
Why does sodium chloride have brittle crystals?

Ionic Crystals:
There are four types of crystals: ionic, covalent,
metallic, and molecular. Ionic crystals, as the
name implies, is composed of ions (positive and
negative charged species) and is held together
by ionic charge attraction (or ionic
intermolecular attractive forces).

Key Terms:
Crystal Lattice: The atoms of a crystal are
structured in a three-dimensional symmetrical
pattern, and we call this structure the lattice of
the crystal.
Ion: An ion is an atom or molecule that has
gained either a positive or a negative charge due
to losing or gaining one or more electrons. Ions
with opposite charges will attract each other,
and those with like charges will repel.
Intermolecular Forces: The forces of attraction
that keep the molecules of a substance bound
together are known as intermolecular forces.

 Answer and Explanation:

Sodium chloride is an ionic crystal. Its crystal
lattice is held together by ionic charge (or ionic
intermolecular) attractive forces. These are the
strongest of intermolecular attractive forces,
but the crystal structure is weak and brittle.
When you apply stress or a force to the crystal,
the ion positions change slightly, resulting in like
charges being aligned next to each other. Since
like charges repel each other, a fracture in the
lattice can form and propagate through the rest
of the crystal, causing it to shatter and break.

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Learn more about this topic:

Crystal: De!nition, Types, Structure & Properties

from
Chapter 6 / Lesson 10

 167K
Learn how many types of crystals there are, crystal
uses and properties, and see examples of crystals.

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