Ionic Bonding

Question 1

What is ionic bonding?

Answer 1

• Ionic bonding is the electrostatic attraction between positive and negative ions.
• When oppositely charged ions form an ionic bond, you get an ionic compound.
• Dot and cross diagrams can show them.

Question 2

Giant ionic lattices

Answer 2

• They are a result of oppositely charged ions strongly attracted in all directions.
• Different ionic compounds have diff. shaped structures: sodium chloride lattice is cube shaped.
• Ions alternate.

Question 3

Melting and boiling points

Answer 3

• Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points.
• Most compounds are solid at room temp. as there is insufficient energy to overcome strong electrostatic forces between the opp. charged ions in giant lattice.

Question 4

Solubility

Answer 4

• Many dissolve in POLAR solvents such as water.
• Polar molecules break down the lattice and surround each ion in solution.
• Solubility of compound in water depends on relative strengths of the attractions within the lattice and attractions between ions and water molecules.
• If compound is made of ions w/ large charger, attraction may be too strong for water.

Question 5

Electrical conductivity

Answer 5

• In solid state, does not conduct electricity.
• Once melted/dissolved, it can.
• In liquid state, ions are free to move and carry an electrical charge.
• In solid, they are in fixed positions and there are no mobile charge carriers.