The Formation of Ions
An ion is an electrically charged atom or group of atoms formed by
the loss or gain of electrons
An atom will lose or gain electrons to become more stable
The loss or gain of electrons takes place to gain a full outer shell of electrons which
is a more stable arrangement of electrons
The electronic configuration of an ion will be the same as that of a noble gas – such
as helium, neon and argon
Formation of positively charged sodium ion
Formation of negatively charged chloride ion
Ionisation of metals and non-metals
Metals: all metals can lose electrons to other atoms to become positively charged
ions, known as cations
Non-metals: all non-metals can gain electrons from other atoms to become
negatively charged ions, known as anions
The Formation of Ionic Bonds
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
o 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
Explanation
Sodium is a Group I metal so will lose one outer electron to another atom to gain a
full outer shell of electrons
A positive sodium ion with the charge 1+ is formed
Chlorine is a Group VII non-metal so will need to gain an electron to have a full outer
shell of electrons
One electron will be transferred from the outer shell of the sodium atom to the outer
shell of the chlorine atom
A chlorine atom will gain an electron to form a negatively charged chloride ion with a
charge of 1-
The oppositely charged ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces of
attraction
The ionic compound has no overall charge
Formula of ionic compound: NaCl
The Lattice Structure of Ionic Compounds
Lattice structure
Ionic compounds have a giant lattice structure
Lattice structure refers to the arrangement of the atoms of a substance in 3D space
In lattice structures, the atoms are arranged in an ordered and repeating fashion
The lattices formed by ionic compounds consist of
a regular arrangement of alternating positive and negative ions
Ionic Bonds between Metallic & Non-Metallic Elements
Ionic compounds
Ionic compounds are formed when metal atoms and non-metal atoms react
The ionic compound has no overall charge
Example: Magnesium Oxide, MgO
Explanation
Magnesium is a Group II metal so will lose two outer electrons to another atom to
have a full outer shell of electrons
A positive ion with the charge 2+ is formed
Oxygen is a Group VI non-metal so will need to gain two electrons to have a full
outer shell of electrons
Two electrons will be transferred from the outer shell of the magnesium atom to the
outer shell of the oxygen atom
Oxygen atom will gain two electrons to form a negative ion with charge 2-
Magnesium oxide has no overall charge
Formula of ionic compound: MgO
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
Explanation of Properties of Ionic Compounds
Ionic substances have high melting and boiling points due to the presence
of strong electrostatic forces acting between the oppositely charged ions
These forces act in all directions and a lot of energy is required to overcome them
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 Mg2+ and O2- so will have a higher
melting point than sodium chloride which contains the ions, Na+ and Cl-
For electrical current to flow there must be freely moving charged particles such as
electrons or ions present
Ionic compounds are good conductors of electricity in the molten state or
in solution as they have ions that can move and carry a charge
They are poor conductors in the solid state as the ions are in fixed positions within
the lattice and are unable to move
Molten or aqueous ions move freely but cannot in solid form
Exam Tip
When drawing dot and cross diagrams, you only need to show the outer shell of electrons.
Remember to draw square brackets and include a charge for each ion. Make sure the
overall charge is 0; you may need to include more than one positive or negative ion to
ensure the positive and negative charges
