Why do ionic compounds tend to have a higher melting point than molecular compounds?

Question

I am not sure, but i think it has something to do with the energy and forces that must be overcome to melt these 2 types of compounds, but i am not sure. Can anyone tell me why ionic compounds tend to have a higher melting point than molecular compounds:

Answer 1

Because ionic compunds have more stronger bonds than covalent compounds. This means that you'll need more temperature or energy to sepate the compound.
Bye!

Answer 2

Ionic compounds are made up of particles called ions. Ions are atoms that are either positively or negatively charged. Positively charged ions have a strong attraction for the surrounding negatively charged ions in an ionic crystal, and vice verse. It takes a lot of energy (and high temperature) to separate ions and allow them to flow as a liquid. Molecular compounds are made up of units called molecules. Each molecule is made up of a group of atoms covalently bonded with each other. While covalent bonds within molecules are generally very strong, the bonds that attract one molecule to another molecule are generally much weaker. Therefore, it does not take a lot of energy (and relatively low temperature) to loosen up the molecules in a molecular solid to allow them to flow as a liquid. Answer: The statement is true. Ionic compounds do tend to have higher melting points than molecular compounds.

Answer 3

Your general thinking is correct. The types of attractive forces that will occur between molecules in a sample of a molecular compound are London forces and dipole-dipole interactions (if the molecule is polar). These types of forces are substantially weaker than the ionic bonds that occur in an ionic compound. The stronger the forces or bonds between substances, the higher the melting point.

This explains the general observation that ionic compounds are solids at room temperature, while the vast majority of molecular compounds are liquids or gases.