Ionic bonds

• Ionic bonds gain or lose electrons
• Ionic bonds between metals and non-metals.
• Metal atoms transfer electrons to non-metals to make ions.
• An ion is a charged particle formed when an atom gains or loses electrons.
• Ions are attracted to each other through electrostatic forces as they have an opposite charge.
• When an atom loses an electron it has more protons than electrons so therefore it has a positive charge. This is called a positive ion.
• When an atom gains electrons it has more electrons than protons so therefore it has a negative charge. This is called a negative ion.
• The electron transfer during the process of an ionic compound can be represented as a dot and cross diagram

  
• What happens when magnesium and oxygen bond react?

  When magnesium reacts with oxygen, magnesium will transfer 2 electrons to oxygen. Magnesium will become a positive ion with a charge of +2 and Oxygen will become a negative ion with a charge of -2. An ionic bond is formed between the two elements.

  
• An ionic compound is a giant structure of ions. They are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attractions between oppositely charged ions. These forces act out in all directions. This is called ionic bonding.