Structure and bonding
Ionic Bonds
•Ionic Bonds
•Definition: Ionic bonds are bonds between metals and non-metals, electrons are
transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the creation of oppositely charged
ions that attract each other
•How It Works: A metal atom loses one or more electrons to become a positively
charged ion (cation), while a non-metal atom gains those electrons to become a
negatively charged ion (anion).
•Example: Sodium chloride (NaCl) is an ionic compound. Sodium (Na) loses one
electron to become Na⁺, while chlorine (Cl) gains an electron to become Cl ⁻. The Na ⁺
and Cl⁻ ions are held together by the strong electrostatic force of attraction.
Properties of ionic compounds
Properties of Ionic Compounds:
High melting and boiling points due to strong ionic bonds.
Conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in water, as ions are
free to move.
Generally, form crystalline solids with regular structures.
Covalent Bonds
•Definition: Covalent bonds form when two non-metal atoms share
pairs of electrons to achieve a full outer shell of electrons.
•How It Works: Each atom in a covalent bond contributes at least one
electron to a shared pair. The shared electrons allow both atoms to reach
a more stable, lower-energy state.
•Example: Water (H₂O) is a covalent molecule. Each hydrogen atom
shares one electron with oxygen, forming two covalent bonds.
Properties of covalent bonds
Properties of Covalent Compounds:
• Lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic
compounds.
• Poor conductivity, as they generally lack free ions or
electrons.
• It can exist in various forms (gases, liquids, or solids)
depending on the molecular structure.
Formulas for Ions, Molecules, and Formula
Units
Ions
Ions
•Definition: Ions are atoms or groups of atoms with a net charge due to the
loss or gain of electrons.
•Examples:
• Sodium ion: Na⁺ (lost one electron).
• Chloride ion: Cl⁻ (gained one electron).
• Polyatomic ion: Sulfate (SO₄²⁻), a group of atoms with an overall charge.
•Representation: Ions are represented by the element symbol followed by the
charge (e.g., Mg²⁺, O²⁻).
Molecules
Molecules
•Definition: Molecules are groups of two or more atoms bonded together covalently.
•Examples:
• Water (H₂O): A molecule with two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen
atom.
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂): A molecule with two oxygen atoms bonded to one
carbon atom.
•Representation: Molecules are represented by their molecular formulas, showing the
types and numbers of atoms (e.g., H₂O for water, CH₄ for methane).
Formula Units
Formula Units
•Definition: Formula units are the simplest ratio of ions in an ionic compound, reflecting the
compound’s composition without indicating a specific number of molecules.
•Examples:
• Sodium chloride (NaCl): The simplest ratio of sodium ions to chloride ions is 1:1.
• Calcium chloride (CaCl₂): The simplest ratio of calcium ions to chloride ions is
1:2.
•Representation: Formula units are written like molecular formulas but refer to the ionic compound’s
ratio rather than a distinct molecule.
Metallic Bonding
Metallic Bonding
•Definition: Metallic bonding occurs between metal atoms. In this type
of bonding, atoms release some of their electrons, which then move
freely throughout a “sea of electrons” around positively charged metal
ions.
•How It Works: In a metallic bond, metal atoms arrange in a regular
pattern, and their outer electrons become delocalized, meaning they are
not bound to any specific atom and can move freely. This creates an
attraction between the positively charged metal ions and the “sea” of
negative electrons, which holds the metal structure together.
Properties of metallic bonds
•Properties of Metallic Bonds:
• Conductivity: Metals are good conductors of electricity because the free electrons
can move easily, carrying electric current.
• Malleability and Ductility: Metals can be hammered into sheets (malleable) or drawn
into wires (ductile) because the atoms can slide past each other without breaking the bond.
• High Melting and Boiling Points: Metallic bonds are strong, giving metals high
melting and boiling points.
•Example: Copper (Cu): In copper, the atoms are bound in a metallic lattice, with delocalized
electrons moving throughout the structure, making it an excellent conductor of electricity and
heat.
