Which property is typical of ionic compounds?

Ionic compounds are characterized by a rigid and crystalline structure that results from the strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions. This strong ionic bond gives them distinct mechanical properties, making them hard and brittle. When enough force is applied, the alignment of ions can be disrupted, causing the structure to cleave rather than bend, which contributes to their brittleness.

In addition to their hardness and brittleness, ionic compounds typically have high melting points due to the significant amount of energy required to overcome the strong ionic bonds holding the lattice structure together. These properties are fundamental to understanding the behavior of ionic compounds in various contexts within chemistry. As such, the statement about being hard and brittle with high melting points accurately reflects the well-known characteristics of ionic compounds.