Answer
An ionic solid is a chemical compound containing ions held together by electrostatic forces called ionic bonds. The compound is neutral overall, but it consists of positively charged ions called cations and negatively charged ions called anions. These can be simple ions such as the sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) in sodium chloride (NaCl). Hence, molecular solids have relatively low melting point compared to ionic solids as ionic solids have two ions of opposite charge as opposed to just being attracted due to polarity.
Work Step by Step
An ionic solid is a chemical compound containing ions held together by electrostatic forces called ionic bonds. The compound is neutral overall, but it consists of positively charged ions called cations and negatively charged ions called anions. These can be simple ions such as the sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) in sodium chloride (NaCl). Hence, molecular solids have relatively low melting point compared to ionic solids as ionic solids have two ions of opposite charge as opposed to just being attracted due to polarity. For example:
NaCl melts at 801 C while CS2 melts at -110 C
