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Ionic Bonds

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

Ionic bonds

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

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<sup>+</sup>)

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<sup>&minus;</sup>)

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

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+
Formulae

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.
Jump to other topics
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Principles of Science I

1.1

Structure & Bonding

1.2

Properties of Substances

1.3

Cell Structure & Function

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Cell Specialisation

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Tissue Structure & Function

1.6

Working with Waves

1.7

Waves in Communication

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Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

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Science Investigation Skills

4

Principles of Science II

4.1

Extracting Elements

4.2

Relating Properties to use of Substances

4.3

Organic Chemistry

4.4

Energy Changes in Industry

4.5

The Circulatory System

4.6

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4.7

Urinary System

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4.9

Thermal Physics

4.10

Materials

4.11

Fluids

5

Contemporary Issues in Science

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