Which would you expect to have a higher melting point: sodium chloride, NaCl, or aluminum oxide, ?

Question

Which would you expect to have a higher melting point: sodium chloride, NaCl, or aluminum oxide,  ?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The greater charges of the ions in aluminum oxide (Al2O3) result in a greater force of attraction between them, leading to a higher melting point compared to sodium chloride (NaCl). NaCl is also an ionic compound, but its ions have lower charges than Al2O3 and therefore have weaker intermolecular forces. Both compounds have high melting points due to the strong attractions between their ions, but the greater charge of Al2O3's ions gives it the higher melting point. The size of the molecule or the covalent bonds within the molecule do not play a significant role in determining melting points in ionic compounds.

Which Would You Expect to Have a Higher Melting Point