1.3.1

Ionic Bonding

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Ionic Bonds

Ionic bonding is a type of bonding between oppositely charged ions.

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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.

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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+
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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.

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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.
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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.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Chemistry

2Physical Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

3Inorganic Chemistry

4Inorganic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

5Organic Chemistry 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

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