ionic bonding

• What is an ion?


  An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons.
• Why does sodium want to lose an electron?

  Sodium wants to lose an electron to achieve a full outer shell.
• Why does chlorine want to gain an electron?

  Chlorine wants to gain an electron to achieve a full outer shell.
• What happens when sodium and chlorine react together?

  Sodium gives an electron to chlorine, resulting in sodium becoming a positive ion and chlorine becoming a negative ion.
• What are ionic compounds characterized by?


  Ionic compounds have giant structures with millions of positive and negative ions arranged in a regular lattice.
• What are positive ions called?


  Positive ions are called cations.
• What happens to metal ions in terms of electron loss?


  Metal ions lose electrons and become positive ions.
• How can you determine the charge of a metal ion?


  The charge of a metal ion depends on the group it is in on the periodic table.
• What does a dot and cross diagram represent?

  A dot and cross diagram represents the electrons in the outer shell of an atom or ion.
• What are negative ions called?

  Negative ions are called anions.
• How do non-metal atoms like chlorine become negative ions?

  Non-metal atoms gain electrons to become negative ions.
• How can you determine the charge of a non-metal ion?

  The charge of a non-metal ion can be determined by subtracting its group number from eight.
• What factors affect the strength of an ionic bond?

  The strength of an ionic bond depends on the charge of the ions and their sizes.
• Why does a bond with higher charges tend to be stronger?

  A bond with higher charges is stronger due to greater electrostatic attraction between the ions.
• How does the size of ions affect the strength of an ionic bond?

  Smaller ions result in stronger ionic bonds due to closer proximity of opposite charges.