Why is it possible to bend metals and not ionic compounds

Are composed of distinct molecules of covalently bonded atoms, that are attracted to each other by relatively weak London and dipole forces Usually have low melting and boiling points. Electrons are tightly bound in well-defined bonds, so they do not conduct electricity as a solid or in solution.

This is often an identifying feature of an ionic solid. Tend to be soluble in polar solvents and insoluble in nonpolar solvents. If an ion contains more than one atom, even if these are of the same element, it is called a polyatomic ion…. Monatomic ion. Cations and anions fall into the category of ions.

Because there is no charge, oxygen is neither a cation or an anion. The oxygen atom , and the oxygen molecule are formally neutral. The ion that has the positive charge is called a cation, while the ion which has the negative charge on it is called as an anion….

Comparison Chart. Always name the cation before the anion; in the chemical formula, the cation will always appear first as well. Nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine any of the ones shown. An ionic compound is named first by its cation and then by its anion. The cation has the same name as its element. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel. Skip to content Home Admission Essay Why is it possible to bend metals but not ionic crystals explain?

Admission Essay. But cast iron is strong but brittle, providing a hint that the overall chemistry isn't everything. What actually makes for tough compounds is the ability to mitigate external stress in the molecular structure of the material. In many polymers, the bonds in the long polymer chains can rotate and rearrange themselves to relieve that stress. In some metals forged iron but not cast iron the crystal structure of the metal contains defects that can move and rearrange to relieve stress concentrations.

In contrast glass and table salt can't do that and even small surface scratches concentrate stress and rapidly grow causing the compound to shatter. They lack a molecular mechanism to mitigate the stress concentrations caused by small cracks. This can be partly overcome by more complex treatments of the surface of the compound. That tension minimises the stress concentrations from small surface scratches and makes the resulting glass much stronger this is sometimes achieved by deliberately adding ions to the surface of the glass.

Toughness is a product of the bulk material not of the bonding type of the molecules or atoms that make it up. In summary, brittleness is not a property uniquely associated with ionic compounds. Most crystals are brittle. Those compounds that are not brittle are not distinguished by the type of bonding involved but by complex mechanisms that can alleviate the concentration of stress in the bulk compound.

So many covalent crystals are brittle not just ionic ones. Some metals are brittle, though many are not. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Why are so many ionic compounds brittle? Ask Question. Asked 6 years, 4 months ago.