A general approach to the theoretical evaluation of the crystal lattice energy of ionic substances, particularly those composed of monoatomic ions, is outlined in detail. Subsequently, the possibilities of theoretical prediction of the lattice energy of complex organic and inorganic ionic substances are discussed. Lastly, the importance of the lattice energy in examinations of the properties and behaviour of solid-state systems, is treated, together with the prospects of developing a model describing the kinetics of solid-state processes.Keywords: kinetics, lattice energy, solid-state systems
General problemsThe crystal lattice energy (Ec) is the most important thermochemical characteristic accounting for the structure, properties and behaviour of solids. It is generally defined as the amount of energy which has to be supplied to transfer the species from the crystal lattice to the gaseous phase, where no interactions occur. This means that the crystal lattice energy reflects the magnitude of cohesive forces keeping the species in the solid phase, or in other words it determines the energy of interaction between the species in the solid phase.In the case of molecular crystals, where the species in the solid and gaseous phases are the same molecules, the lattice energy is simply the sublimation ener-
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