Synthesize the reasons why ionic solids are hard yet brittle.

• A. Ionic solids are hard and flexible due to strong covalent bonds.
• B. Ionic solids are hard and malleable due to metallic bonds.
• C. Ionic solids are hard due to strong ionic bonds but brittle because like charges repel when layers shift.
• D. Ionic solids are brittle because they have weak ionic bonds.

Answer: (C)