How do ionic compounds behave at room temperature?

Ionic compounds typically behave as solids at room temperature due to the strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the positively charged cations and negatively charged anions that make up their structure. These ionic bonds create a rigid lattice arrangement, which requires a significant amount of energy to break. As a result, ionic compounds do not easily convert to gaseous or liquid states under standard conditions.

In contrast to gases, which have much weaker intermolecular forces and take the shape and volume of their containers, or liquids, which have some intermolecular forces but can flow, ionic compounds maintain their solid state because their lattice structure stabilizes them at room temperature. This characteristic is fundamental to understanding the properties of ionic compounds, influencing their melting points, conductivity, and solubility in water.