What is the purpose of the Born-Haber cycle?

The Born-Haber cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that is primarily utilized to determine lattice enthalpies and related parameters in ionic compounds. This cycle provides a systematic way to calculate the energy changes involved in the formation of an ionic solid from its constituent gaseous ions.

In the Born-Haber cycle, various steps are involved, including the formation of gaseous atoms from the solid state, the ionization of atoms to form cations, and the addition of electrons to form anions. By applying Hess's law, the total enthalpy change for the cycle is equivalent to the sum of the enthalpy changes of each individual step. This allows chemists to obtain the lattice enthalpy without direct measurement, which is critical for understanding the stability and properties of ionic solids.

The other options pertain to concepts that don't align with the purpose of the Born-Haber cycle. Calculating the boiling point of solids, describing the melting point of metals, and measuring electrical conductivity are distinct areas of study in material science and physical chemistry that do not utilize the Born-Haber cycle as a fundamental tool.