2.4.3

Formation of Ionic Bonds - Metals & Non-Metals

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Formation of Ionic Bonds Between Metallic and Non-Metallic Ions

Ionic bonds form between metals and non-metals. Opposite charges attract, shown via dot-and-cross diagrams illustrating electron transfer.

What are ionic bonds?

  • Ionic bonds form when metals lose electrons and non-metals gain electrons.
    • This creates positive metal ions and negative non-metal ions.
  • Opposite charges attract, making an ionic bond.
  • Ionic bonds create strong forces holding ions together in compounds.

Metals and non-metals in ionic bonds

  • Metallic elements lose electrons to form positive ions (cations).
  • Non-metallic elements gain electrons to form negative ions (anions).
    • Example: Sodium (metal) loses 1 electron to chlorine (non-metal).
    • This forms Na+ and Cl- ions, which attract each other.

Dot-and-cross diagrams in ionic bonds

  • Dot-and-cross diagrams show electrons from each atom.
  • Dots represent electrons from one element, crosses from the other.
    • Diagrams illustrate electron transfer from metal to non-metal.
    • After transfer, ions have full outer energy levels (stable).

Formation of sodium chloride (NaCl) - Example

  • Sodium (Na) has 1 electron in its outer shell.
  • Chlorine (Cl) has 7 electrons in its outer shell.
  • Sodium donates 1 electron to chlorine.
    • Dot-and-cross diagram shows this transfer clearly.
    • Na+ and Cl- ions attract to form ionic bond in NaCl.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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