Which of the following is true about an ionic compound?

• A. It is formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.
• B. It consists of positive and negative ions held together by electrostatic forces.
• C. It is usually insoluble in water.
• D. It typically has a low melting point and is a good conductor in solid state.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the nature of ionic compounds: Ionic compounds are formed when atoms transfer electrons, resulting in the formation of positive and negative ions.
2. Recognize that these ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction, also known as ionic bonds, which create a stable lattice structure.
3. Recall that ionic compounds generally have high melting points due to the strong ionic bonds that require significant energy to break.
4. Know that ionic compounds are usually soluble in water because water molecules can stabilize the separated ions, but this depends on the specific compound.
5. Remember that ionic compounds do not conduct electricity in the solid state because the ions are fixed in place, but they do conduct when melted or dissolved in water, as the ions become free to move.