Why do ionic compounds usually have high melting points?

Ionic compounds typically exhibit high melting points due to the strength of the electrostatic forces that hold their constituent ions together in a crystalline solid.12

These compounds consist of an orderly, repeating array of alternating positive cations and negative anions. The stability of this structure is defined by its lattice energy, which represents the energy required to completely separate the solid into gaseous ions. Because these electrostatic attractions are significant, a substantial amount of thermal energy (heat) is required to overcome these forces and break the lattice structure, resulting in high melting points.1234

The specific melting point of an ionic compound is influenced by the strength of these electrical forces, which can vary based on the charges and sizes of the ions involved. For example, compounds with more highly charged ions generally possess stronger bonds and higher melting points than those with lower charges, as seen in the comparison between periclase (MgO) and halite (NaCl).54