Ionic and Metallic Solids

In ionic solids the constituent particles are ions. These are formed by the arrangement of cations and anions by strong Coulombic forces.

• These are hard and brittle in nature.
• Ionic solids act as an insulator in a solid-state but are conductors in a molten and aqueous state.
• They have a high melting point.
• Example: NaCl, MgO, ZnS, CaF₂ etc.

Metallic Solids

• Positive metal ions in a sea of delocalized electrons. These electrons are evenly spread out throughout the crystal.
• Due to the presence of free and mobile electrons, they are responsible for high electrical and thermal conductivity.
• They are conductors in both solid and molten state.
• The physical nature of these solids are hard but they are malleable and ductile.
• They have high melting point than ionic solids.
• Examples: Fe, Cu, Ag, Mg, etc.