Which of the following compounds has the highest melting point?
ANaCl
BMgOCORRECT
CKBr
DCaF₂
GCEChemistryChemical Bonding2021
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Why the answer is B, and why the others tempt you.
Melting point of ionic compounds increases with greater ionic charge and smaller ionic radius (higher lattice energy). MgO involves Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ ions (both doubly charged and small), giving it the highest lattice energy (~3850 kJ/mol) and therefore the highest melting point (~2852 °C) among the options listed.
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