Question

Give two reasons why we don't use ionic compounds to build cars and other structures for strength but instead we use metals. rather than ionic compounds? For each reason, explain why the problem occurs in terms of the structure of ionic compounds.

Answer 1

We don't use ionic compounds to build cars and structures for strength because they are brittle and lack mobile charged particles. Ionic compounds have a crystalline structure where ions are tightly held in place, making them rigid and brittle. Metals, on the other hand, have a metallic bond that allows for malleability and ductility due to the presence of free-flowing electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

There are two main reasons why we don't use ionic compounds to build cars and other structures for strength:

• 1. Ionic compounds are brittle. When a force is applied to an ionic compound, like-charged ions in the crystal come too close to each other, causing the crystal to shatter.
• 2. Ionic compounds do not have mobile charged particles. In metals, the free-flowing electrons can slip in between the stationary cations and prevent them from coming in contact. This makes metals malleable and ductile, allowing them to be easily shaped.

These problems occur in terms of the structure of ionic compounds because they have a crystalline structure and the ions are tightly held in place, making them rigid and brittle. On the other hand, metals have a metallic bond in which the delocalized electrons allow for malleability and ductility.