Ionic solids are brittle because of the arrangement of their ions in a crystal lattice. When an external force is applied, layers of ions can shift. If this shift causes ions of the same charge to a

Here's why ionic solids shatter easily:

Ionic solids are brittle because of the arrangement of their ions in a crystal lattice. When an external force is applied, layers of ions can shift. If this shift causes ions of the same charge to align, the strong electrostatic repulsion between these like-charged ions forces the layers apart, causing the crystal to cleave or shatter.