The physical properties of ionic substances
2 marks · NormalState what is meant by a 'giant ionic lattice' as found in sodium chloride.
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A giant ionic lattice is a regular, three-dimensional arrangement of positive and negative ions extending throughout a solid, with no individual molecules.
Also accept: A large, repeating structure of alternating positive and negative ions throughout the crystal.; A structure made of ions arranged in a three-dimensional continuous lattice with no separate molecules.
Common mistakes: Referring to sodium chloride as a molecule; Not mentioning three-dimensional or continuous nature
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Marking points
B1 · 1 mark · Describes the lattice as a regular, three-dimensional arrangement of ions.
B2 · 1 mark · States lattice extends throughout the solid with no individual molecules.
Worked solution
A giant ionic lattice is a regular, three-dimensional arrangement of positive and negative ions extending, without limit, throughout the whole solid. There are no individual molecules.