Making models (molymod or plasticine and cocktail stick to show different arrange of ions in ionic crystals

sodium chloride 6:6  coordinated compared with cesium chloride 8:8 coordinated.

deep link back to ionic compounds page

When we see drawings of crystal structures not all 'lines' represent chemical bonds - this can lead to confusion as it is in conflict with other representations that they will have learnt. (see page 80 - why chem reaction occur)