On the Melting of Ionic Crystals

Abstract

Comparing the data of AgCl and NaCl crystals, it is suggested that the contribution of lattice defects is more important than that of lattice vibrations, for the melting of ionic crystals. The coulombic interaction between defects can cause a sort of phase transition, and the transition temperature is near the melting point. Several experimental evidences: melting point, latent heat, viscosity and ionic conductivity of liquids, are also discussed on this ground.