Why dose sodium oxide have a high melting point?

Sodium oxide has a formula of Na2O. Since sodium is a metal and oxygen is a non metal, sodium oxide is an ionic species. Sodium will lose an electron to form a cation and oxygen will gain 2 electrons to form anion. These ions will be arranged in an ionic lattice structure. There is a strong attractive force between these oppositely charged ions, which require a lot of energy to break lots of these bonds to melt the lattice structure. This is why sodium oxide has a high melting point.

Answered by Chemistry tutor

27690 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

I don't understand how the first two quantum numbers fit into describing atoms.


How do you form a Born-Haber cycle?


How does increasing the temperature affect the yield of products of a reaction at equilibrium, where the forward reaction is exothermic?


Calculate the PH of 32 mmol of HCl in 75cm^3 solution. Assume HCl fully dissociates.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning