Compare
the equilibrium separations and binding energies of ionic solids (Table
11.1) with those of ionic molecules (Table 9.5). Account for any systematic differences.
Answer:
Ions
in the solids are further apart, with more binding. This can be attributed to:
a.) More bondings. Instead of a concentrated bond between two ions, each ion is
being pulled in many directions by other ions of opposite charge.
b.)
Other ions of the same charge occupy the space, and keep oppositely-charged bondings
from moving closer.
c.)
Packing fractions cause losses due to stacking geometry. Not all spheres in the cell are in
“contact,” so not all are really “nearest neighbors.”