Physical Properties of Ionic Compounds

Volatility — high melting and boiling points

Solubility — usually soluble in water but not

in organic solvents
Electrical conductivity — conducts in molten and
aqueous states
Aqueous = dissolved
in water
Molten = melted

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 Volatility — melting and boiling points

The lattice of an ionic compound is held together

by strong ionic bonds between the ions.

A large amount of energy is needed to overcome

these strong bonds.

As a result, ionic compounds

- are solids at room temperature and pressure.
- have high melting points and high boiling points.

Ionic compounds are non-volatile substances.

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 Solubility

Ionic compounds are usually soluble in water.

Ionic compounds are insoluble in organic solvents.

Organic solvents are compounds such as ethanol,
petrol and turpentine.

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 Electrical Conductivity
– in aqueous sodium chloride

A set-up can be used to test electrical conductivity

of NaCl which is dissolved in water.

Bulb lights up.

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 Electrical Conductivity
– in solid sodium chloride

Bulb does not light up.

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 Electrical Conductivity
– in molten sodium chloride

However, if NaCl is heated until it melts…

bulb lights up.

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 Electrical conductivity

Ionic compounds do not conduct electricity in the

solid state.
This is because the ions are not free to move about.

However, when an ionic compound is melted

(molten) or dissolved in water (aqueous) , it can
conduct electricity.
This is because the ions are free to move in the
molten state or in aqueous solution.

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