HCl (hydrochloric acid) and NaCl (sodium chloride) exhibit different crystal structures due to the nature of their bonding. NaCl forms an ionic crystal structure as it consists of sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-) that are held together by strong electrostatic forces resulting from the transfer of an electron from sodium to chlorine. In contrast, HCl has a covalent bond where the electrons are shared between hydrogen and chlorine, leading to a molecular structure rather than an ionic one.
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gracy said:Why hcl is not an ionic crystal bt Nacl is?? (Both show polarity)
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The bond holding NaCl together is ionic in nature, i.e. the Na atom 'gives' an electron to the chlorine atom resulting in two charged ions which are attracted by the Coulomb interaction. In HCl the bonding is covalent, i.e. the outer electrons are shared. Hence NaCl is an ionic compund, and HCl is not.