This memory aid covers Memory Aids within Ionic Compounds for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Ionic Compounds in Bonding & Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 21 exam-style questions and 21 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 9 of 12 in this topic. Use it for quick recall, then test yourself straight afterwards so the memory aid becomes usable in an answer.
🧠 Memory Aids
Conductivity states: "Solid = stuck, Liquid = loose, Solution = swimming"
- Solid ionic compound — ions are stuck in the lattice → NO conduction
- Molten (liquid) ionic compound — lattice gone, ions loose → CONDUCTS
- Dissolved in solution — ions swimming freely → CONDUCTS
Melting point comparison: Think of "CHARGES matter MOST" — higher charges mean stronger attractions mean higher melting points. MgO (2+, 2-) beats NaCl (1+, 1-).
Brittleness: "Shift = Same = Shatter" — when layers shift, same charges align, and the crystal shatters due to repulsion.
Practice questions for Ionic Compounds
What type of structure is found in all ionic compounds?
Explain why magnesium oxide conducts electricity when it is molten but not when it is solid.