Science glossary film: Ionic compound

A chemical compound typically formed from metal and nonmetal elements combining. Sodium chloride is the classic example. Rather than forming discrete molecules, like covalently bonded compounds, ionic compounds tend to form large ordered crystalline solids, with ions arranged in a lattice. Ionic compounds tend to be hard and brittle, with high melting and boiling points.

Sodium chloride is the classic example. Rather than forming discrete molecules, like covalently bonded compounds, ionic compounds tend to form large ordered crystalline solids, with ions arranged in a lattice. Ionic compounds tend to be hard and brittle, with high melting and boiling points.