Ionic, covalent, and metallic solids are three main types of crystalline solids, each with their own unique characteristics and properties.1. Ionic solids:Distinguishing characteristics:- Ionic solids consist of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions held together by strong electrostatic forces ionic bonds .- They have high melting and boiling points due to the strong ionic bonds.- They are generally hard and brittle.- In the solid state, they are poor conductors of electricity, but when dissolved in water or melted, they become good conductors due to the mobility of ions.Example: Sodium chloride NaCl Properties:- High melting point 801C and boiling point 1413C due to strong ionic bonds.- Hard and brittle crystalline structure.- Poor conductor of electricity in solid state, but good conductor when dissolved in water or melted.2. Covalent solids:Distinguishing characteristics:- Covalent solids consist of atoms held together by strong covalent bonds, which involve the sharing of electrons between atoms.- They have high melting and boiling points due to the strong covalent bonds.- They are generally hard and brittle except for certain covalent network solids like graphite, which is soft and slippery .- They are poor conductors of electricity and heat.Example: Diamond a form of carbon Properties:- Extremely high melting point around 3550C due to strong covalent bonds.- Hard and brittle crystalline structure, making it one of the hardest known materials.- Poor conductor of electricity and heat.3. Metallic solids:Distinguishing characteristics:- Metallic solids consist of metal atoms held together by metallic bonds, which involve a "sea" of delocalized electrons surrounding positively charged metal ions.- They have moderate to high melting and boiling points, depending on the strength of the metallic bonds.- They are generally malleable and ductile.- They are good conductors of electricity and heat due to the mobility of the delocalized electrons.Example: Copper Cu Properties:- Moderate melting point 1085C and boiling point 2562C due to metallic bonds.- Malleable and ductile, allowing it to be drawn into wires and hammered into sheets.- Good conductor of electricity and heat due to the delocalized electrons.