Ion Formation

Question 1

how do metal ions form?

Answer 1

• metal atoms lose all of their outer shell electrons to get a full outer shell
• when they do this, they become positively charged ions and they are more stable

Question 2

what is oxidation?

Answer 2

the loss of electrons

Question 3

how do non-metal ions form?

Answer 3

• non metal atoms tend to gain electrons to fill their outer shell
• when they do this, they become negatively charged ions and they are more stable

Question 4

what is reduction?

Answer 4

the gain of electrons

Question 5

how do ionic compounds form?

Answer 5

• when metals and non-metals react, the metal atoms give electrons to the non-metal atoms
• every atom ends up forming an ion with a stable full outer shell

Question 6

when drawing ions, what do you need to check?

Answer 6

• if all the ions have full outer shells
• do the ‘+’s and ‘-‘s balance (e.g. 3+ and 3-)

Question 7

atoms in group 1,2 and 3 … electrons?

Answer 7

lose (end up with a ‘+’ charge)

Question 8

atoms in group 4 … electrons?

Answer 8

share

Question 9

atoms in group 5, 6 and 7 … electrons?

Answer 9

gain (end up with a ‘-‘ charge)