Potassium iodide can be prepared by the reaction of potassium metal with iodine.
The table below shows some properties of potassium, iodine, and potassium iodide.
| Substance | Relative melting point | Electrical conductivity when solid | Electrical conductivity when molten |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium | High | Good | Good |
| Iodine | Low | Poor | Poor |
| Potassium iodide | High | Poor | Good |
Explain, in terms of bonding and structure, why the properties of the product, potassium iodide, are different from the properties of the reactants, potassium and iodine.
