why are ionic compounds brittle. it is mentioned that they are strongly attached to each other and are hard solids yet it is also written in our book that they are brittle in nature. Can i have a solution to my confusion?
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The ionic compounds are very hard and brittle. In ionic compounds the ions are rigidly held in a lattice because the positive and negative ions are strongly attracted to each other and difficult to separate. But the brittleness of a compound is how easy it is to shift the position of atoms or ions in a lattice. If we apply a pressure on the ionic compounds the layers shifts slightly. the Same charged ions in the lattice comes closer. A repulsive forces arises between same charged ions. due to this repulsions the lattice structure breaks down.
shiny2003:
wat is lattice???
Lattice energy is a measure of the energy contained in the crystal lattice of a compound, equal to the energy that would be released if the component ions were brought together from infinity.
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