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Bonding - Ionic
One ionic bond is formed when sodium bonds with chlorine.

Bonding - Ionic

Ionic bonding explains how many salts form and why they behave the way they do. Test electron transfer, ions, and properties like conductivity and melting point.

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Fascinating Fact:

Ionic compounds form a giant ionic lattice, which is a regular, repeating arrangement of ions. The attraction acts in all directions through the lattice.

In GCSE Chemistry, ionic bonding focuses on electron transfer between metals and non-metals. You use charge, ion size and structure to explain high melting points, brittleness, and why ionic substances conduct only when ions can move.

Key Terms

  • Electrostatic attraction: The force of attraction between opposite charges, such as positive and negative ions.
  • Formula unit: The simplest whole-number ratio of ions in an ionic compound, shown by its chemical formula.
  • Electrolyte: A liquid or solution that conducts electricity because it contains mobile ions.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How do ions form in ionic bonding?

Ions form when electrons are transferred from a metal atom to a non-metal atom. The metal becomes a positive ion and the non-metal becomes a negative ion because their charges change.

Why do ionic compounds have high melting points?

Ionic compounds have high melting points because there are strong attractions between many oppositely charged ions. A lot of energy is needed to overcome these forces and separate the ions.

Why do ionic compounds only conduct electricity when molten or in solution?

Ionic compounds conduct electricity when molten or dissolved because the ions are free to move and carry charge. In a solid, the ions are fixed in place so charge cannot flow.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .
When a metal atom becomes a metal ion...
it becomes negatively charged
it becomes neutrally charged
it doesn't change its charge
it becomes positively charged
Metal atoms lose electrons so there are more protons than electrons resulting in an overall positive charge on the newly formed ion
2 .
How are electrons involved in ionic bonding?
Electrons are shared between the atoms involved
Electrons are lost or gained by the atoms
Electrons are taken into an inner shell of one of the atoms
Electrons are all moved to the outer shell of the atoms
Electrons are transferred between the atoms
3 .
How many ionic bonds are formed when sodium bonds with chlorine?
1
2
3
4
One sodium ion combines with one chloride ion to become sodium chloride because only one electron is transferred
4 .
Pick the correct combination for the properties of ionic compounds.
Conduct electricity
Low boiling point
Do not conduct electricity when dissolved or molten
High melting point
Conduct electricity when dissolved or molten
High melting point
Do not conduct electricity
Low melting point
This is because ionic compounds are normally formed from giant lattices of ions
5 .
When a non-metal atom becomes a non-metal ion...
it becomes negatively charged
it becomes neutrally charged
it doesn't change its charge
it becomes positively charged
Non-metal atoms gain electrons so there are more electrons than protons resulting in an overall negative charge on the newly formed ion
6 .
When an atom loses or gains electrons, it becomes...
an electrolyte
a bond
a compound
an ion
In an atom, the number of protons equals the number of electrons so the charges are balanced. When electrons are lost or gained, this is no longer the case
7 .
What happens to the electron configuration of the atoms?
The electron configuration becomes that of a noble gas
The electron configuration always loses one electron
The electron configuration always gains an electron
The electron configuration stays the same
If sodium 2,8,1 loses an electron in an ionic bond, its configuration becomes 2,8 which is the same as neon. Elements that have full outer shells of electrons are stable
8 .
How many ionic bonds are formed when magnesium combines with chlorine?
1
2
3
4
Magnesium has 2 outermost electrons, but chlorine atoms can only gain one electron during ionic bonding. The magnesium atom can therefore transfer electrons to two chlorine atoms i.e. two ionic bonds
9 .
The ionic bonds that exist between charged particles result in an arrangement that is called...
a giant ion
an ionic structure
a giant covalent structure
a giant structure
There are no limits to the size of a giant ionic lattice other than the number of ions available
10 .
Ionic bonding usually occurs between what type of atoms?
Metal and metal
Non-metal and non-metal
Metal and non-metal
Metal and noble gas
Two metals joining together form an alloy with metallic bonding, two non-metals will form covalent bonds and, at GCSE level, noble gases are regarded as being inert
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Ionic compounds

Author:  Kate Gardiner (Chemistry Educator & GCSE Quiz Writer)
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