ionic bonding + properties

• what are cations?

  a positive charged ion that has lost electrons
• what are anions?

  a negatively charged ion that has gained electrons
• what is an ionic bond?

  an electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions
• Ionic bonds form between which substances?

  metals and non-metals
• what type of ions do metals always form?

  cations (positive ions)
• what is the cation and the anion in magnesium nitride?

  Cation : magnesium

  anion : nitrogen
• What is the cation and anion in lithium oxide?

  Cation : lithium

  Anion : oxygen
• How do we describe the crystal structure of an ionic compound?

  a giant ionic crystal lattice
• Explain why ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points?

  they have many strong ionic bonds between ions, that takes lots of energy to break
• Name 4 properties of ionic compounds?

  brittle, high melting and boiling point, soluble in water, conduct electricity when dissolved or molten
• Explain why ionic compounds are brittle?

  is the layers within the lattice shift, ions with the same charge will line up and repel, causing the lattice to break
• Why are ionic compounds soluble in water?

  they contain oppositely charged ions. water molecules are polar and can surround the ions, seperating them.
• Why can't ionic compounds conduct electricity when solid?

  the ions are not free to move, so cannot move to carry charge
• Name two ways we can prepare an ionic compound to conduct electricity?

  melt it, dissolve it
• Explain why ionic compounds are able to conduct electricity when molten or dissolved?

  the ions are no longer held by ionic bonds, and are free to move to carry their charge throughout the substance