Let’s continue to refresh some basic principles In chemistry. The ionic compound is a chemical compound in which ions (An ion is an atom or molecule which has lost or gained one or more electrons (An electron is a subatomic particle. Carrying a (-)negative charge, it orbits an atom’s nucleus and is bound to it by electromagnetic forces.) are held together in a lattice structure by ionic bonds

• It has a mass that is minuscule in comparison with even the smallest of atoms, coming in at about one thousandth the size of the tiniest atom.
• It is a basic unit of nature, meaning it cannot be broken down into smaller units.
• It plays a starring roll in many of the interactions we see on a daily basis. For example, electrons are partially responsible for the fact that we can stand on a flat surface and not sink right through it. This occurs as the result of the mutual repulsion of the electrons in both the ground and a person’s shoes. We also depend on electrons for electrical current to power electronic devices. Even televisions rely on electrons to function properly.

Usually, the positively charged portion consists of metal cations (cations are positively charged ions) and the negatively charged portion is an anion or polyatomic ion. Ions in ionic compounds are held together by the electrostatic force between oppositely charged bodies. Ionic compounds have a high melting and boiling point, and they have a high hardness and are very brittle.