Ions Flashcards
What are ions?
Charged particles.
Are ions single atoms or groups of atoms?
Ions can be single atoms (e.g. Na+ ) or groups of atoms (e.g. NO3 - ).
How are ions formed?
Through gaining and losing electrons.
What does the mnemonic ‘OIL RIG’ stand for?
Oxidation
Is
Loss
Reduction
Is
Gain
What are negative ions called?
Anions.
What are positive ions called?
Cations.
How are anions formed?
Through gaining electrons - they have more electrons than protons.
How are cations formed?
Through losing electrons - they have more protons than electrons.
How can you find out the charge on the ion using the number of electrons lost or gained?
The number of electrons lost or gained is the same as the charge on the ion. E.g. If 2 electrons are lost the charge is 2+.
What elements most readily form ions?
Those in Groups 1, 2, 6 and 7.
How do Group 1 and 2 elements (metals) form ions?
They lose electrons to form positive ions.
How do Group 6 and 7 elements (non-metals) form ions?
They gain electrons to form negative ions.
What is the same about all of the elements in the same group?
All elements in the same group all have to lose or gain the same number of outer electrons, so they form ions with the same charge.
What are ionic compounds made up of?
A positively charged part and a negatively charged part.
What is the overall charge of any ionic compound?
Zero.
