giant ionic structure

Crystalline structure formed by the ions in an ionic compound. It is produced by the ionic bonds that occur when a metal and non-metal react together. The ions are closely packed in a regular cuboid lattice that may be face-centred, as in sodium chloride (NaCl), or body-centred, as in caesium chloride (CsCl). Strong chemical bonds exist between all the ions, so giant ionic structures have high melting and boiling points. They also conduct electricity when dissolved in an aqueous solution or when molten, as the ions separate and are free to move.

Other giant structures are giant molecular structures, produced by covalent bonds and metallic structures held together by metallic bonds. Each have their own particular properties.