Chemistry

Question Analysis
This question evaluates the understanding of the properties of ionic compounds, specifically the reason for their high melting points.

Key Concept Explanation
Ionic compounds have high melting points due to the strong electrostatic attractions between the oppositely charged ions. A significant amount of energy is required to break these ionic bonds.Pure Ionic Compounds: Formed by the direct combination of a metal cation and a nonmetal anion (e.g., NaCl, MgO).

Pure Covalent Compounds: Formed by electron sharing between nonmetallic atoms (e.g., CO₂, H₂O).

Mixed Ionic-Covalent Compounds: Contain a metal cation and a polyatomic anion (or polyatomic cation and nonmetal anion). The bond between the metal cation and polyatomic anion is ionic; the bonds holding the atoms within the polyatomic anion together are covalent.

Step-by-step Solution
1. Recall the c...