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=== Ionic Compound ===

=== Ionic Compound ===

An ''ionic compound'' is any substance that exists only as a [[crystal]] consisting of two or more [[ions]] when not [[solution|dissolved]]. Common salt ([[sodium chloride]]) is the classic ionic compound. As a pure solid, salt consists of [[sodium]] ions and [[chlorine|chloride]] ions tightly associated in a crystal lattice. When salt dissolves, these ions dissociate and become merely so much sodium ions and chloride ions swimming in a sea of whatever [[solvent]] is used. No such thing as "a molecule of salt" can ever be said to exist.

An ''ionic compound'' is any substance that exists only as a [[crystal]] consisting of two or more [[ions]] when not [[solution|dissolved]]. Common salt ([[sodium chloride]]) is a good example of an ionic compound. As a pure solid, salt consists of [[sodium]] ions and [[chlorine|chloride]] ions tightly associated in a crystal lattice. When salt dissolves, these ions dissociate and become merely so much sodium ions and chloride ions swimming in a sea of whatever [[solvent]] is used. No such thing as "a molecule of salt" can ever be said to exist.

Ionic compounds typically dissolve only in ''polar'' solvents (see below).

Ionic compounds typically dissolve only in ''polar'' solvents (see below).