Which of the following best explains why ionic compounds are hard but brittle?
Strong attractions make them hard; shifting layers break them apart
In ionic compounds, ions of opposite charge are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction, which makes them hard.
However, when an external force shifts the layers of ions, like-charged ions come to face each other, causing repulsion that breaks the crystal apart, making them brittle.
Hence, the correct answer is Strong attractions make them hard; shifting layers break them apart (D).
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