Ionic Bonding Flashcards
What is Ionic Bonding and what two element types form it?
An Ionic Bond is formed between a metal and non-metal. It involves two or more atoms providing electrons to each other, leading to said atoms either transitioning into cations (due to losing electrons and obtaining a positive charge) or anions (due to gaining electrons and obtaining a negative charge).
What is a Polyatomic Ion?
A Polyatomic Ion is an Ion made up of a group of atoms. (ex. Hydroxide, or OH).
What method is used to write ionic compound formulas correctly and how do we do it?
We use the cross-over method. This involves taking the charges on the top left of the cation and anion in their ion form, and involves swapping them to the other element as a subscript
(eg. Mg + F = MgF2 (Numbers are subscripts))
What are three properties of ionic compounds? Explain them.
Three properties of ionic compounds
- Not lustrous due to no mobile valence electrons at the surface to reflect light
- Unreactive due to atoms being stable, as their valence shells have already been filled.
- High melting point due to its very durable structure formed by the strong bonding forces.
Why are most ionic substances hard, brittle and crystalline?
The forces of attraction between the oppositely-charged ions in an ionic lattice result in strong bonding, and therefore result in ionic substances having these characteristics. There are no free electrons for flexibility, hence why they’re brittle.
Explain the brittleness of an ionic substance?
Ionic bonds are directional, meaning that they only operate in a direct line between oppositely charged ions. Any distortion causes ions of the same charge to come in close contact, and the repulsion causes the structure to break.
Why do solid salts not conduct electricity, but molten or dissolves salts do?
Ionic compounds contain charged ions that are fixed firmly when solid, and therefore can’t conduct electricity. However, when melted or dissolved, these charged ions are able to roam freely, allowing them to conduct electricity.
