How are the melting points of salts similar to that of metals?

Answer 1

The melting points of salts and metals are both influenced by the strength of the bonds holding their atoms or ions together. In salts, ionic bonds between cations and anions result in high melting points due to strong electrostatic forces. Similarly, metals exhibit high melting points due to metallic bonds, where electrons are shared among a lattice of positively charged ions. Thus, both salts and metals typically have elevated melting points compared to molecular compounds, reflecting the strength of the interactions within their structures.