Question

Why are ionic compounds usually hard? how is it that ionic compounds in the solid state do not conduct electricity but they do so when in molten state?

Answer 1

So ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points. Conductive when liquid - Ions are charged particles, but ionic compounds can only conduct electricity if their ions are free to move. Ionic compounds do not conduct electricity when they are solid- only when dissolved in water or melted.

ans by---love Guru (plz follow me)

Answer 2

Metals conduct electricity due to the flow of electrons while ionic compounds conduct electricity due to the flow of ions. In solid state, the ions of ionic compounds are held together at fixed places by the strong electrostatic forces of attraction. The ions are not free to move. Therefore, in solid state, the ionic compounds donot conduct electricity.