Ionic bonding chemistry

• What type of bond is formed when particles bond together through ionic bonds?

  Ionic bonds
• How are ions formed from atoms?

  Atoms lose or gain electrons
• What happens to a sodium atom to form a sodium ion?

  It loses one electron
• What is the charge of a sodium ion?

  One plus
• Why does a sodium atom need to lose an electron?

  To achieve stability with a full outer shell
• How does chlorine form a chloride ion?

  It gains one electron
• What is the charge of a chloride ion?

  One minus
• What happens to sodium and chlorine during ionic bonding?

  Electrons transfer from sodium to chlorine
• What do we use to represent ions in diagrams?

  Square brackets with charge
• What is the nature of the forces between ions in an ionic compound?

  They are attracted by electrostatic forces
• How strong is an ionic bond compared to a covalent bond?

  Similar in strength
• What is a dot and cross diagram used for?

  To represent ionic bonding visually
• How do we differentiate electrons in a dot and cross diagram?

  Dots for one atom, crosses for another
• What should be shown in a dot and cross diagram?

  The movement of electrons with arrows
• What is the outermost shell of an atom?

  The highest energy level of electrons
• How do you draw a dot and cross diagram for magnesium chloride (MgCl₂)?

  • Draw magnesium with two outer electrons
  • Draw two chlorines with seven outer electrons each
  • Show electrons moving from magnesium to each chlorine
  • Represent magnesium as a Mg²⁺ ion and each chlorine as Cl^- ion
  • Arrange ions as they would be in a compound
• What happens to magnesium when it forms an ionic bond with chlorine?

  It loses two electrons to become Mg²⁺
• How many chloride ions are formed from one magnesium atom?

  Two chloride ions
• How are the chloride ions arranged around the magnesium ion in a dot and cross diagram?

  On either side of the magnesium ion
• What is the purpose of using arrows in dot and cross diagrams?

  To show the movement of electrons
• What is the difference between drawing all electron shells and only the outermost shell in diagrams?

  All shells show complete structure, outermost is quicker
• Why do we say that ionic bonds are strong?

  Due to the attraction between opposite charges
• What should you do if asked to draw a dot and cross diagram in an exam?

  Follow the specific features outlined