Formation of ionic compounds Flashcards
ion
An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, giving it a net positive or negative electrical charge.
an ion is just a charged particle
cation
An atom that loses electrons has more protons than electrons and so has a positive overall charge.
because it loses electrons it becomes more positive
This is called a positive ion or cation.
anion
An anion is a negatively charged ion that forms when an atom gains one or more electrons.
This is called a negative ion or anion.
Why do atoms form ions?
to gain a full outer shell for more stability
Which type of element forms cations?
metals (eg Mg) lose electrons → cations
Which type of element forms anions?
nonmetals (eg F) gain electrons → anions
difference between cations and anions
Cations are positively charged ions formed by losing electrons, while anions are negatively charged ions formed by gaining electrons.
Show that the electron configuration of an ion matches the configuration of the nearest noble gas
Sodium (Na) forms Na⁺ by losing one electron, matching the electron configuration of the nearest noble gas, neon (Ne).
this is because When sodium loses one electron, it has the same number of electrons as neon. This completes its outer electron shell, resembling the stable configuration of neon
Explain how bonds form between ions
When a metal cation and a non-metal anion react
together in a chemical reaction an ionic bond is formed.
Ionic bonds form when ions with opposite charges attract each other. One ion, typically a metal, loses electrons (cation), while another ion, usually a nonmetal, gains those electrons (anion). The attraction between these oppositely charged ions results in the formation of an ionic bond.
Ionic bonds form when oppositely charged ions attract, one giving away electrons (cation) and the other gaining them (anion).
