Ionic & Covalent Bonding and Bond Polarity

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in ionic and covalent bonding, including definitions and characteristics necessary for understanding chemical bonding.

Chemical Bond

The force of attraction between any two atoms in a compound.

Ionic Bond

The attractive force due to the transfer of one or more electrons from one atom to another.

Covalent Bond

The attractive force due to the sharing of electrons between atoms.

Cation

A positively charged ion.

Anion

A negatively charged ion.

Electronegativity

A measure of the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a bond.

Polar Covalent Bond

A bond formed between atoms with different electronegativities resulting in partial charge separation.

Monatomic Ion

An ion consisting of a single charged atom.

Polyatomic Ion

An ion composed of two or more atoms bonded together, with an overall positive or negative charge.

Diatomic Elements

Elements that exist in nature as molecules composed of two atoms, such as H₂, N₂, and O₂.

Formulas of Ionic Compounds

Representations of ionic compounds using chemical symbols and numerical subscripts to indicate the number and type of atoms.

Naming of Ionic Compounds

The process of naming compounds formed from cations and anions, typically ending with the suffix '-ide' for anions.

Hydronium Ion

A polyatomic ion formed when water (H₂O) gains a hydrogen ion (H+).

Bond Polarity Guidelines

Rules used to determine whether a molecule is polar or nonpolar based on lone pairs and atom types present.

Properties of Ionic Compounds

High melting and boiling points due to strong electrostatic attractions between ions.

Properties of Covalent Compounds

Generally lower melting and boiling points, often found as gases or liquids at room temperature.

Crystalline Structure

The ordered arrangement of atoms in a solid; typical of ionic compounds.