Ionic Bonding

• Ionic bonds


  Bonds formed between atoms with opposite charges, attracted by electrostatic forces to form an ionic compound - this force is known as ionic bonds
• Formation of ions


  1. Atom loses or gains electrons

  2. Atom becomes positively or negatively charged
• Atoms with too many electrons

  Transfer electrons to atoms that don't have enough
• Ionic compound


  Formed when ions with opposite charges are attracted to each other
• Ionic bonds are similar in strength to covalent bonds
• Ionic Bonding involves the transfer of electrons between metals and non-metals
• Ionic compounds:

  Involves a metal atom transferring one or more electrons to a non-metal atom to form 2 oppositely charged ions which would then be attracted to each other by electrostatic forces forming an ionic bond.
• Ionic compounds in reality involve tons of ions and the positive and negative ions alternate so that each ion is attracted to all those around it, and as this happens in all directions this would form three dimensional structures known as regular lattice structures
• Properties of Ionic Compound:

  • Have high melting/boiling point : determined by the strength of the bond holding the substance together. In ionic compounds there are loads of ionic bonds which are strong so in order to break them all, it would require loads of energy which would only be available at high temperatures
  • Conduct electricity only when they have been melted or dissolved in water : depends if there are any charged particles that can move e.g ions/electrons-
• Properties of Ionic Compound:

  • Have high melting/boiling point : determined by the strength of the bond holding the substance together. In ionic compounds there are loads of ionic bonds which are strong so in order to break them all, it would require loads of energy which would only be available at high temperatures
• Properties of Ionic Compound:

  • Conduct electricity : depends if there are any charged particles that can move e.g ions/electrons
  • When ionic compounds are in their solid form, everything is fixed so they cant conduct electricity. However when they are melted or dissolved, the ions are free to move about which allows them to conduct electricity