Ionic Bonding

Describe the formation of ions by electron loss or gain?

Cations are formed when atoms lose electrons to become positively charged. Anions are formed when atoms gain electrons to become negatively charged.

Metal Ions

In some circumstances metal atoms may lose electrons. The atom then has more protons than electrons and so it will be positively charged, a positive ion. Example: A magnesium atom may lose two electrons and become a Mg2+ ion.

Steps in forming magnesium oxide(MgO)?

Magnesium forms a 2+ ion due to its number of valence electrons and the octet rule. (It loses two electrons.) Oxygen forms a 2- ion due to its number of valence electrons and the octet rule. (It gains two electrons.) The resulting compound consists of ONE magnesium ion bonding to ONE oxygen ion giving the formula MgO. The 2+ ion cancels the charge of the 2- ion giving a charge of zero.

Why do ionic bonds tend to form between metals and nonmetals?

Metals tend to lose electrons and become positive ions. Non-metals tend to gain electrons and become negative ions.

magnesium chloride

MgCl2

sodium oxide

Na2O

Describe the lattice structure of ionic compounds as a regular arrangement of alternating positive and negative ions, exemplified by the sodium chloride structure?

The reaction between sodium and fluorine is a combination of many many sodium and fluorine ions. The ions do not stay in pairs but instead form a regular pattern or a lattice of alternating positive and negative ions. These are held by strong ionic bonds. The lattice is a 3D structure which we often also call a Giant (Lattice) Structure.

Chemical Formula

Uses chemical symbols to represent the atoms of the elements and their ratios in a chemical compound. For example, the name of compound is salt, then the chemical formula would be NaCl.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond in which one atom loses one or more electrons to form a positive ion and the other atom gains one or more electrons to form a negative ion. The positive and negative ions are strongly attracted to each other. It happens between metals and non-metals.

Ionic Compound

A compound formed when atoms give and take electrons to achieve a stable octet configuration. They are hard, brittle and non-conductive substances with high melting and boiling points.

Non-metal Ions

Non-metal atoms may gain electrons and become negatively charged. Example: An oxygen atom may gain two electrons and become an O2- ion.

What is the charge of a cation? What is the charge of an anion?

Positive, + Negative, -