Question

What are the characteristics of an ionic bond?

Answer 1

Hint: The bond between the sodium and chlorine atom in sodium chloride is an ionic bond because the bond is formed by the transfer of an electron from the sodium atom to the chlorine atom. So, the characteristics can be explained on the physical state, crystal structure, melting point, boiling point, solubility, electrical conductivity, ionic reaction, etc.

Complete answer:
We know that there are three types of bonds formed between the atoms, i.e., ionic bond, covalent bond, and coordinate bond. When the transfer of electrons takes place from one atom to another atom in which one atom is a metal and the other is a non-metal.
For example, the bond between the sodium and chlorine atom in sodium chloride is an ionic bond because the bond is formed by the transfer of an electron from the sodium atom to the chlorine atom.
So, the characteristics of an ionic bond can be explained as:
At room temperature they are solids.
The compounds that form the ionic bond have a very dense and three-dimensional structure.
The melting point and boiling points of the compounds having ionic compounds are very high because the ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces.
Their solubility is also high in solvents like water because water is a polar compound and has a high dielectric constant.
Since the ionic bond is formed between the ions, they have high electrical conductivity in either solution form or molten form.

Note:
When the compounds having ionic bonds are mixed into water, then they will dissociate into ions, and if electrodes are placed into the solution, then the ions are attracted towards opposite electrodes.