Question

16. Ionic compounds are extremely hard. They hold their shape extremely well.
(a) Based on what you know about ionic bonding within an ionic crystal, explain
these properties.
(b) Give two reasons to explain why, in spite of these properties, it is not practical
to make tools out of ionic compounds.

Answer 1

As u know that the ionic bond is simply the Coulombic force of attraction between two. Opposite charge species.

OR

The bond between metal and non metal. As u have doubt about how we know so by taking example of NaCl I will explain you Scientist use so many technic to determine the structure of NaCl and found that the crystal has assembly of so many opposite charged species this show that the crystal formed because of ionic bond. And on further studies they give some more characteristics properties of this type of Crystals.

Dear scientists give details about the heat of vaporization of ionic crystals, And it turned out that they were very high. Similarly the Melting and Boiling point of these ionic crystals is very high.

Because they are brittle in nature no doubt they are hard but we can't make tools from that. Simply Sword of Salt It can't possible.