alleryStart learning →What does the lattice energy of an ionic compound measure?
AEnergy released when the solid first melts
BEnergy to split the solid into gaseous ions
CEnergy to remove one electron from a metal
DEnergy stored in the bonds of one molecule
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Energy to split the solid into gaseous ions
1. Lattice energy measures how strongly the oppositely charged ions in a solid attract one another.
2. It is defined as the energy needed to separate one mole of the solid into its gaseous ions.
3. On that convention the value is positive, because pulling the lattice apart takes energy in.
4. A larger lattice energy therefore marks a more stable ionic compound.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 "Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry", section Ionic Bond Strength and Lattice Energy_
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