2.1.2

Ionic Bonds

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Ions

Ions are particles that have a charge. They are created when an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons. Gaining electrons creates a negatively charged ion; losing electrons creates a positively charged ion.

Illustrative background for Positive ions (cations)Illustrative background for Positive ions (cations) ?? "content

Positive ions (cations)

  • Positive ions are usually created when an atom or molecule loses electrons.
  • Positive ions are also called cations.
  • The metals in Group 1 and 2 can easily lose electrons to become positively charged ions.
Illustrative background for Negative ions (anions)Illustrative background for Negative ions (anions) ?? "content

Negative ions (anions)

  • Negative ions are usually created when an atom or molecule gains electrons.
  • Negative ions are also called anions.
  • The non-metals in Group 7 are most likely to gain electrons to fill up their electron shell and become negatively charged.
Illustrative background for Ions containing multiple elementsIllustrative background for Ions containing multiple elements ?? "content

Ions containing multiple elements

  • Ions can be made up of:
    • 1 atom (e.g. F-).
    • Combinations of atoms with an overall charge (e.g. SO42-).

Ionic Bonding

When atoms form ions, they try to fill up or empty their outer electron shell. In ionic bonding, a metal atom transfers electrons to a non-metal atom, allowing both of them (the metal and non-metal) to have a full outer electron shell.

Illustrative background for Ions formed from Group 1 metalsIllustrative background for Ions formed from Group 1 metals ?? "content

Ions formed from Group 1 metals

  • Group 1 metals lose 1 electron resulting in the formation of positive ions with a charge of +1.
    • E.g. a sodium atom (Na), with the electronic structure (2,8,1), loses its outer electron when forming an ion to make Na+.
Illustrative background for Ions formed from Group 2 metalsIllustrative background for Ions formed from Group 2 metals ?? "content

Ions formed from Group 2 metals

  • Group 2 metals always lose 2 electrons resulting in the formation of doubly positive ions.
    • E.g. a magnesium atom (Mg), with the electronic structure (2,8,2), loses both its outer electrons when forming an ion to make Mg2+.
Illustrative background for Non-metals (Groups 6 and 7)Illustrative background for Non-metals (Groups 6 and 7) ?? "content

Non-metals (Groups 6 and 7)

  • Non-metal atoms always gain electrons resulting in the formation of negative ions.
    • E.g. a fluorine atom (F), with the electronic structure (2,7), will gain an electron when forming an ion to make F-.
Illustrative background for Noble gases (Group 0)Illustrative background for Noble gases (Group 0) ?? "content

Noble gases (Group 0)

  • Noble gases already have a full outer shell. Noble gases are unreactive and don't normally form ionic bonds with other elements.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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