ionic crystal

crystallography

Also known as: ionic solid

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June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

Ionic crystals are formed by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, which are atoms or groups of atoms that have gained or lost electrons. This type of bonding, known as ionic or electrovalent bonding, results in a regular geometric arrangement of ions within the crystal lattice.12

Crystallography is the science that studies the arrangement and bonding of atoms in crystalline solids and the geometric structure of crystal lattices. It uses techniques like X-ray diffraction to determine the internal structures and bonding arrangements of minerals and molecules.34

Ionic crystals typically exhibit moderate hardness, high melting points, and poor thermal and electrical conductivity. Their nondirectional bonding leads to structures with high symmetry. Examples of ionic crystals include halite (NaCl) and calcite (CaCO₃).1

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water
Significance of the structure of liquid water
When an ionic solid dissolves in water, the positive ends of the water molecules are attracted to the anions, while their negative ends are attracted to the cations. This process is called hydration. The hydration of its ions tends to cause a salt to break apart (dissolve)…
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When an ionic solid dissolves in water, the positive ends of the water molecules are attracted to the anions, while their negative ends are attracted to the cations. This process is called hydration. The hydration of its ions tends to cause a salt to break apart (dissolve)…
Read More

solid
Ionic crystals are aggregates of charged ions. These salts commonly exhibit ionic conductivity, which increases with temperature. Covalent crystals are hard, frequently brittle materials such as diamond, silicon, and silicon carbide. In the simpler, monatomic types (e.g., diamond), each atom is surrounded by a number…
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Ionic crystals are aggregates of charged ions. These salts commonly exhibit ionic conductivity, which increases with temperature. Covalent crystals are hard, frequently brittle materials such as diamond, silicon, and silicon carbide. In the simpler, monatomic types (e.g., diamond), each atom is surrounded by a number…
Read More