Topic 3 - Ionic Bonding

Question 1

How do you turn a metal atom into a metal ion and what does this cause?

Answer 1

You take away it’s outer-shell electrons, therefore it becomes positively charged

Question 2

How do you turn a non-metal atom into a non-metal ion and what does this cause?

Answer 2

You fill up its outer shell with electrons, causing it to become negatively charged

Question 3

Define reduction

Answer 3

The gaining of electrons (or loss of oxygen)

Question 4

Define oxidation

Answer 4

The loss of electrons (or the gain of oxygen)

Question 5

What is a redox reaction?

Answer 5

A reaction in which electrons are lost/gained

Question 6

Explain why redox reactions can be discussed using electrons or oxygen

Answer 6

Because oxygen’s charge is 2-, so if an oxygen compound is formed, the substance that bonds with the oxygen will need to lose some electrons in order to fill up the outer shell of oxygen.

Question 7

Define ionic bonding

Answer 7

The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions

Question 8

Explain why ionic substances have high melting points

Answer 8

• there are many very strong bonds
• a lot of energy is needed to break them
• ions with higher charges have higher melting points because the attraction between bonds is greater

Question 9

Explain why ionic substances do not conduct electricity when solid, but do when molten

Answer 9

In order to conduct, a substance needs
• charged particles
•that a free to move
The particles in ionic substances are charged, but are only free to move when in molten or gaseous forms