• The positive and negative charges are held together by the strong?electrostatic forces of?attraction?between?oppositely?charged ions
• This is what holds ionic compounds together

Electrostatic forces hold the ions together in sodium chloride

• Ionic compounds are made of charged particles called ions which form a giant lattice structure
• Ionic substances have?high?melting and boiling points due to the presence of?strong?electrostatic forces?acting between the oppositely charged ions
• These forces act in all directions and a lot of energy is required to overcome them

Strong electrostatic forces act in all directions in an ionic solid such as sodium chloride

• Ionic compounds are usually?solid?at room temperature and are?non-volatile
• They are usually?water soluble?as both ionic compounds and water are?polar??substances

Ionic compounds are soluble in water because the ions are easily hydrated by polar water molecules

• For electrical current to flow there must be present freely moving charged particles such as electrons or ions
• Ionic compounds can conduct electricity in the?molten?state or in?solution?as they have ions that can move and carry charge
• They cannot conduct electricity in the solid state as the ions are in fixed positions within the lattice and are unable to move