1.3.1
Ionic Bonding
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Ionic Bonds
Ionic bonding is a type of bonding between oppositely charged ions.
-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Ionic bonds
- Ionic bonding is the electrostatic attraction between ions of opposite charges.
- Ionic bonds are very strong. Ionic bonds are much stronger than any type of intermolecular force, but are generally weaker than covalent bonds.

Noble gas configurations
- Ions form to make noble gas configurations.
- An atom will lose or gain electrons until it has the same electron configuration as a noble gas (i.e. a full outer shell).

Forming positive ions (e.g. Na+)
- Group 1 atoms will lose one electron to form a full outer shell.
- Group 2 atoms will lose two electrons to form a full outer shell.
- Group 3 atoms will lose three electrons to form a full outer shell.

Forming negative ions (e.g. F−)
- Group 6 atoms will gain two electrons to form a full outer shell.
- Group 7 atoms will gain one electron to form a full outer shell.
Compound Ions
A compound ion is an ion which is made of multiple atoms.

Compound ions
- There are a few examples you need to know:
- Carbonate ions: CO32-
- Nitrate ions: NO3-
- Hydroxide ions: OH-
- Sulfate ions: SO42-
- Ammonium ions: NH4+
 2.1.2.2 - Ca and O atoms → Ca2+ and O2- ions (1)-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Formulae
- Ionic formulae can be calculated by balancing charge.
- The principle of electroneutrality states that the overall charge must be zero.
- Add or subtract cations (positive ions) or anions (negative ions) to find a neutral formula.
Ionic Lattices
Ionic compounds have a lattice structure.
%202.1.3.1%20-%20Ionic%20lattice%20represented%20using%20both%20the%20space-filling%20model%20and%20ball%20and%20stick%20model,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Giant ionic lattices
- Ionic compounds have what is called a giant ionic lattice structure.
- This means that the structure is made of repeating units of identical structure.
- Different compounds can have very different lattices.
- E.g. Sodium chloride (NaCl) has a cube-shaped lattice.
 2.2.3.1 - NaCl ionic lattice-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Properties
- Ionic compounds have certain specific properties:
- They dissolve in water - this is because water is polar.
- They conduct electricity when molten or dissolved.
- This is because the ions can move and carry charge when molten or solvated.
- They have high melting points.
- This is because the ionic bonds are very strong.
1Physical Chemistry
1.1Atomic Structure
1.1.1Fundamental Particles1.1.2Isotopes & Mass Number1.1.3Mass Spectrometry1.1.4Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals1.1.5Electron Configuration1.1.6Ionisation Energy1.1.7Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies1.1.8Trends of Ionisation1.1.9Specific Impacts on Ionisation Energies1.1.10End of Topic Test - Atomic Structure1.1.11A-A* (AO3/4) - Atomic Structure
1.2Amount of Substance
1.2.1Relative Masses1.2.2The Mole1.2.3The Ideal Gas Equation1.2.4Empirical & Molecular Formulae1.2.5Balanced Equations1.2.6Percentage Yield1.2.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Percentage Yield1.2.8Atom Economy1.2.9End of Topic Test - Amount of Substance1.2.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Substances & Yield1.2.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Moles
1.3Bonding
1.3.1Ionic Bonding1.3.2Covalent & Dative Bonding1.3.3Carbon Structures1.3.4Metallic Bonding1.3.5Physical Properties1.3.6Shapes of Molecules1.3.7Polarity1.3.8Intermolecular Forces1.3.9Intermolecular Forces 21.3.10End of Topic Test - Bonding1.3.11Exam-Style Question - Shape of Molecules1.3.12A-A* (AO3/4) - Bonding1.3.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ions1.3.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ionic & Covalent1.3.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Phase Change1.3.16Diagnostic Misconceptions - Boiling1.3.17Diagnostic Misconceptions - Polar Bonds
1.4Energetics
1.5Kinetics
1.6Equilibria
2Physical Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)
2.1Thermodynamics (A2 Only)
2.2Rate Equations (A2 Only)
2.3The Equilibrium Constant Kp (A2 Only)
2.4Electrochemical Cells (A2 Only)
2.5Acids & Bases (A2 Only)
2.5.1Brønsted-Lowry Acids & Bases (A2 Only)2.5.2pH (A2 Only)2.5.3The Ionic Product of Water (A2 Only)2.5.4Weak Acids & Bases (A2 Only)2.5.5pH Curves & Titrations (A2 Only)2.5.6pH Curves & Titrations 2 (A2 Only)2.5.7Buffer Solutions (A2 Only)2.5.8End of Topic Test - Acids & Bases2.5.9Exam-Style Question - Weak Acids2.5.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Acids & Bases2.5.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ammonia is an Alkali2.5.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Water's Neutrality2.5.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Concentrate & Strength
3Inorganic Chemistry
3.1Periodicity & Trends
4Inorganic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)
4.1Period 3 (A2 Only)
4.2Transition Metals (A2 Only)
4.2.1General Properties (A2 Only)4.2.2Substitution Reactions (A2 Only)4.2.3Shapes of Complex Ions (A2 Only)4.2.4Colours of Ions (A2 Only)4.2.5Variable Oxidation States (A2 Only)4.2.6Titrations (A2 Only)4.2.7Homogeneous Catalysts (A2 Only)4.2.8Heterogeneous Catalysts (A2 Only)4.2.9End of Topic Test - Transition Metals4.2.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Transition Metals
4.3Reactions of Ions in Aqueous Solutions (A2 Only)
5Organic Chemistry 1
5.1Introduction
5.2Alkanes
5.3Halogenoalkanes
5.4Alkenes
5.5Alcohols
5.6Organic Analysis
5.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Organic 1
6Organic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)
6.1Optical Isomerism (A2 Only)
6.2Aldehydes & Ketones (A2 Only)
6.3Carboxylic Acids & Esters (A2 Only)
6.4Aromatic Chemistry (A2 Only)
6.5Amines (A2 Only)
6.6Polymers (A2 Only)
6.7Biological Organic (A2 Only)
6.8Organic Synthesis (A2 Only)
6.9NMR Spectroscopy (A2 Only)
6.10Chromatography (A2 Only)
6.11A-A* (AO3/4) - Organic 2
Jump to other topics
1Physical Chemistry
1.1Atomic Structure
1.1.1Fundamental Particles1.1.2Isotopes & Mass Number1.1.3Mass Spectrometry1.1.4Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals1.1.5Electron Configuration1.1.6Ionisation Energy1.1.7Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies1.1.8Trends of Ionisation1.1.9Specific Impacts on Ionisation Energies1.1.10End of Topic Test - Atomic Structure1.1.11A-A* (AO3/4) - Atomic Structure
1.2Amount of Substance
1.2.1Relative Masses1.2.2The Mole1.2.3The Ideal Gas Equation1.2.4Empirical & Molecular Formulae1.2.5Balanced Equations1.2.6Percentage Yield1.2.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Percentage Yield1.2.8Atom Economy1.2.9End of Topic Test - Amount of Substance1.2.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Substances & Yield1.2.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Moles
1.3Bonding
1.3.1Ionic Bonding1.3.2Covalent & Dative Bonding1.3.3Carbon Structures1.3.4Metallic Bonding1.3.5Physical Properties1.3.6Shapes of Molecules1.3.7Polarity1.3.8Intermolecular Forces1.3.9Intermolecular Forces 21.3.10End of Topic Test - Bonding1.3.11Exam-Style Question - Shape of Molecules1.3.12A-A* (AO3/4) - Bonding1.3.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ions1.3.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ionic & Covalent1.3.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Phase Change1.3.16Diagnostic Misconceptions - Boiling1.3.17Diagnostic Misconceptions - Polar Bonds
1.4Energetics
1.5Kinetics
1.6Equilibria
2Physical Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)
2.1Thermodynamics (A2 Only)
2.2Rate Equations (A2 Only)
2.3The Equilibrium Constant Kp (A2 Only)
2.4Electrochemical Cells (A2 Only)
2.5Acids & Bases (A2 Only)
2.5.1Brønsted-Lowry Acids & Bases (A2 Only)2.5.2pH (A2 Only)2.5.3The Ionic Product of Water (A2 Only)2.5.4Weak Acids & Bases (A2 Only)2.5.5pH Curves & Titrations (A2 Only)2.5.6pH Curves & Titrations 2 (A2 Only)2.5.7Buffer Solutions (A2 Only)2.5.8End of Topic Test - Acids & Bases2.5.9Exam-Style Question - Weak Acids2.5.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Acids & Bases2.5.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ammonia is an Alkali2.5.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Water's Neutrality2.5.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Concentrate & Strength
3Inorganic Chemistry
3.1Periodicity & Trends
4Inorganic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)
4.1Period 3 (A2 Only)
4.2Transition Metals (A2 Only)
4.2.1General Properties (A2 Only)4.2.2Substitution Reactions (A2 Only)4.2.3Shapes of Complex Ions (A2 Only)4.2.4Colours of Ions (A2 Only)4.2.5Variable Oxidation States (A2 Only)4.2.6Titrations (A2 Only)4.2.7Homogeneous Catalysts (A2 Only)4.2.8Heterogeneous Catalysts (A2 Only)4.2.9End of Topic Test - Transition Metals4.2.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Transition Metals
4.3Reactions of Ions in Aqueous Solutions (A2 Only)
5Organic Chemistry 1
5.1Introduction
5.2Alkanes
5.3Halogenoalkanes
5.4Alkenes
5.5Alcohols
5.6Organic Analysis
5.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Organic 1
6Organic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)
6.1Optical Isomerism (A2 Only)
6.2Aldehydes & Ketones (A2 Only)
6.3Carboxylic Acids & Esters (A2 Only)
6.4Aromatic Chemistry (A2 Only)
6.5Amines (A2 Only)
6.6Polymers (A2 Only)
6.7Biological Organic (A2 Only)
6.8Organic Synthesis (A2 Only)
6.9NMR Spectroscopy (A2 Only)
6.10Chromatography (A2 Only)
6.11A-A* (AO3/4) - Organic 2
Practice questions on Ionic Bonding
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1What kind of attraction exists in ionic bonding?Multiple choice
- 2Which of the following is true of ions?True / false
- 3What is the formula of the nitrate ion?Multiple choice
- 4What is the formula of the sulfate ion?Multiple choice
- 5What is the formula of the hydroxide ion?Multiple choice
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