SC5 - Ionic Bonding ✓

Question 1

SC5a - What is a cation and an anion?

Answer 1

• Cation: A positively charged ion (A metal which has lost an electron)
• Anion is a negatively charged ion (A non-metal which has gained an electron)

Question 2

SC5a - What is an ion?

Answer 2

• A charged particle formed by the transfer of electrons

Question 3

SC5a - What is the type of attraction in an ionic bond?

Answer 3

Electrostatic forces of attraction

Question 4

SC5a - When ionically bonding, what happens to:

• Metals
• Non-metals

Answer 4

• Metals loose an electron(s) as they are closer to 0/8 electrons in their outermost shell and so its easier to loose electrons
• Non-metals are closer to 8/8 electrons in theri outermost shell and so it is easier for them to gain electrons

Question 5

SC5b - What are the main 5 polyatomic ions?

Answer 5

• Ammonium, NH₄⁺
• Hydroxide, OH^-
• Nitrate, NO^3-
• Carbonate, CO₃^2-
• Sulfate, SO₄^2-

Question 6

SC5b - How do you work out the ionic formula of an atom and a compound?

Answer 6

• An atom’s ionic formula will depend on the number of electrons in its outer shell.
• If it has to lose electrons to gain a full outer shell, it will be positive by that much.
• If it has to gain electrons it will be negative by that much.
• In a compound, the charges of the ionic compound of an element need to cancel out.
• e.g Mg ²⁺ and O ^2- will form MgO while Na⁺ and S^2- will form Na₂S

Question 7

SC5b - What is an ionic lattice structure?

Answer 7

When billons of ions are packed together in a regular structure.

Question 8

SC5c - Are ionic compounds electrically conductive and why/why not?

Answer 8

For a substance to be conductive it must contain particles that are:

1. Charged
2. Free to move

So Ionic compounds can conduct electricity when they are aqueous or molten.

Question 9

SC5c - Why does Magnesium Oxide have a much higher melting point than Sodium Chloride?

Answer 9

• Mg2+ and O2- have more than one charge - this means they will attract other ions more strongly than ions with one charge.
• More neergy is required to overcome these stronger electrostatic forces of attraction so melting point is higher

Question 10

SC5c - Are the melting and boiling points of Ionic compounds high/low and why?

Answer 10

They are high as they have strong electrostatic forces of attraction which require a lot of energy to overcome and break

Question 11

SC5c - How does an aqueous ionic compound conduct electricity?

Answer 11

The negative ions flow to the anode(+) and the positive ions flow to the cathode(-). electrons do not flow.