Ionic crystals are hard because the strong electrostatic forces of attraction are present in between the oppositiely charged ions. They are brittle because ionic bonds are non-directional in nature. Please log inor registerto add a comment.
Cause of brittleness in ionic substances Electrostatic repulsions between similar ions are the main cause of brittleness when lattices are subjected to a slide Destruction of unit cellular structure, necessary to keep the malleable character. Ionic substances do not have enough sea of electrons, like similar atoms combined by bonds e., and g., and metallic bonds.
Ionic solids are hard and brittle. Ionic solids are hard due to the presence of strong electrostatic forces of attraction. The brittleness in ionic crystals is due to the non- directional bonds in them. Is there an error in this question or solution?
Why are ionic compounds brittle?
Ionic compounds are brittle due to the strong bond between the positive and negative ions that make up the molecules. These positive and negative bonds create crystals in rigid, lattice structures.
In summary, brittleness is not a property uniquely associated with ionic compounds. Most crystals are brittle. Those compounds that are not brittle are not distinguished by the type of bonding involved but by complex mechanisms that can alleviate the concentration of stress in the bulk compound.
Are ionic compounds prone to brittle fracture?
Dislocations are what mediate plastic deformation in crystals, so the fact that creating and moving a dislocation in an ionic crystal incurs a massive energy penalty means that an ionic crystal will undergo brittle fracture. Show activity on this post. Your starting assumption that ionic compounds are frequently brittle is misleading.
Why are most crystals brittle?
Most crystals are brittle. Those compounds that are not brittle are not distinguished by the type of bonding involved but by complex mechanisms that can alleviate the concentration of stress in the bulk compound. So many covalent crystals are brittle not just ionic onesŪ.