Why do ionically bonded compounds form lattice structures when they are separated from water?

Answer 1

they do not necessarily only form a lattice only when they are separated from water, generally all ionic compounds form a perfect lattice, Even when an equation is at equilibrium and the solid is an irregular shape, the lattice pattern will make the solid turn into a perfect square.

anyways, back to the point. An ionic bond is between a metal and non metal ( or positive and negative charges) they dont form single molecules because they stick together. like a row of magnets if you will.... where one side is + and the other -

Answer 2

We look at ionic compounds as being composed of cations (which are seen as having lost electrons) and anions (which are seen as having gained electrons). The plus and minus charges will attract each other to a point where their nuclei start to repel, however the plus and minus charges are not completely concentrated in the region between the bonding ions, so they each attract many others of different charges. All these ions will have attractions and repulsions they will balance until they find the Goldilocks condition (the one that is juuuussssttt right), and settle into their home in the matrix. Since different ions and different combinations of ions will have the charges distributed in different ways, the crystals will not all be identical.

Answer 3

because