Chapter 2.6: Compounds: Introduction to Bonding

Flashcards from Chapter 2.6 of Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change.

Ionic compounds

Compounds where electrons are transferred from one element to another

Covalent compounds

Compounds where electrons are shared

Chemical bonds

Forces that hold atoms together in a compound

Ions

Charged particles that form when an atom gains or loses one or more electrons

Ionic compounds

Compounds where electrons are transferred to form bonds

• Ultimately neutral due to equal charges

• Transfers can be predicted to settle towards nearest noble gas

Binary ionic compound

The simplest type of ionic compound, including only two elements

• Result in solid arrays of oppositely charged ions

Cation

An atom that loses one or more electrons, becoming positively charged

Anion

An atom that gains one or more electrons, becoming negatively charged

Electrostatic forces

Forces that result in cations and anions to form ionic compounds

Monatomic ion

A cation or anion derived from a single atom

Polyatomic ions

Ion groups formed from several different ions

Covalent bond

Bond where elements share electrons; this usually occurs between nonmetals

• Can be seen in nature with H, N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, P, S, and Se

• Also seen with different elements and compounds, like HF and H₂O

Polyatomic ions

Two or more atoms bonded covalently with a net positive or negative charge

• Seen in many ionic compounds, like calcium carbonate (Ca²⁺CO₃^2-) containing a carbonate unit