Ionic Lattice Structures
"Ionic structure with separate ions at the nodes of the space lattice is typical of the solid state of substances made up of ionic molecules (as opposed to polar molecules). Each ion bears exactly the same relationship to all the ions of opposite sign immediately surrounding it. Thus, on being converted to the solid state, the individuality of the separate molecules is lost; the whole crystal of an ionic compound is a gigantic single particle.
The Coulomb forces acting in ionic structures make for much stronger mutual attraction between the particles than intermolecular forces. For this reason, both the melting points and the hardness of ionic compounds are considerably higher than those of substances made up of polar or non-polar molecules.
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