FORMATION OF IONIC BOND
How Ions are formed
An ion is an electrically charged atom or group of atoms formed by the loss or gain of
electrons
This loss or gain of electrons takes place to obtain a full outer shell of electrons
The electronic structure of ions of elements in Groups 1, 2, 6 and 7 will be the same as
that of a noble gas - such as helium, neon, and argon
Negative ions are called anions and form when atoms gain electrons, meaning they have
more electrons than protons
Positive ions are called cations and form when atoms lose electrons, meaning they have
more protons than electrons
All metals lose electrons to other atoms to become positively charged ions
All non-metals gain electrons from other atoms to become negatively charged ions
Formation of a cation
Formation of positively charged sodium ion
Formation of an Anion
Formation of negatively charged chloride ion
What is ionic bonding?
Ionic compounds are formed when metal atoms react with non-metal atoms
Metal atoms lose their outer electrons which the non-metal atoms gain to form positive
and negative ions
The positive and negative ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces
of attraction between opposite charges
This force of attraction is known as an ionic bond and they hold ionic compounds
together
Dot-and-cross diagrams
Dot and cross diagrams are diagrams that show the arrangement of the outer-shell
electrons in an ionic or covalent compound or element
The electrons are shown as dots and crosses
In a dot and cross diagram:
o Only the outer electrons are shown
o The charge of the ion is spread evenly which is shown by using brackets
o The charge on each ion is written at the top right-hand corner
Formation of ionic bonding
Sodium is a Group 1 metal so loses one outer electron to another atom to gain a full outer
shell of electrons
A positive sodium ion with the charge 1+ is formed, Na+
Chlorine is a Group 7 non-metal so gains one electron to have a full outer shell of
electrons
A negative chloride ion with a charge of 1– is formed, Cl–
The ions are then attracted to one another and held together by electrostatic forces
The formula of the ionic compound is thus NaCl
The large square brackets should encompass each atom and the charge should be in
superscript and on the right-hand side, outside the brackets
Diagram representing the format ion of the ionic bond in sodium chloride
Sodium loses one electron and chlorine gains an electron
Dot-and-cross diagram of sodium chloride
Lattice Structure:
The lattice is the symmetrical three-dimensional structural arrangements of atoms, ions or
molecules (constituent particle inside a crystalline solid as points
Properties of ionic compounds
Ionic compounds are usually solid at room temperature
They have high melting and boiling points
Ionic compounds are good conductors of electricity in the molten state or in solution
They are poor conductors in the solid state
Explaining the properties of ionic compounds
Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points
o They have giant structures
o There are strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions
in all directions
o The forces need lots of energy to overcome them
Ionic compounds are poor conductors in the solid state
o The ions are in fixed positions in the lattice
o They are therefore unable to move and carry a charge
Ionic compounds are good conductors of electricity in the molten state or in solution
o When the ionic compound is melted or dissolved in water, the ions are able to
move and carry a charge
The greater the charge on the ions, the stronger the electrostatic forces and the higher the
melting point will be
o For example, magnesium oxide consists of Mg 2+ and O2- so will have a higher
melting point than sodium chloride which contains the ions, Na + and Cl-
Diagram to show the electrical conductivity of ionic compounds
