Analysis of an unknown substance showed that it has a high boiling point and is brittle. It is an insulator as a solid but conducts electricity when melted. Which of the following substances would have those characteristics?
a. HCl
b. Al
c. SiF4
d. KBr
e. I2
Question
Answer:
The correct option is D (KBr)
Explanation:
Potassium bromide (KBr) is a typical example of an IONIC CRYSTAL. Positive and negative ions are arranged in a regular pattern to give a giant crystal lattice in an ionic solid.
Ionic crystals are hard and have high melting points because the electrostatic forces holding the ions are strong. In the solid state, ionic compounds are poor conductors of electricity because the ions are held rigidly in place and so cannot moves about.
When melted or when dissolved in water, the ions are free to move about and the ionic substances become good conductors of electricity.
Ionic crystals are also BRITTLE. When struck, they tend to shatter because as planes of ions slip by one another, they pass from a condition of mutual attraction to one of mutual repulsion.