Ions and Ionic Bonding Flashcards

Flashcards about ions and ionic bonding, covering how ions form, ionic bonds, and dot and cross diagrams.

Why do atoms gain or lose electrons?

Atoms gain or lose electrons to achieve a full outer shell of electrons, becoming more stable.

Gaining Electrons

Nonmetals, like oxygen and chlorine, gain electrons because they have almost full shells.

Losing Electrons

Metals, like sodium and magnesium, lose electrons because they have few electrons in their outer shell.

Electron Transfer

Atoms do not lose electrons unless another atom accepts them.

What happens when atoms lose or gain electrons?

Atoms become charged and form ions.

Gaining Electrons (Ions)

Negative ions form because the atom has more electrons than protons.

Losing Electrons (Ions)

Positive ions form because the atom has more protons than electrons.

Ionic Bond

A strong force of attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Example of Ionic Bond

Sodium (Na+) and Chlorine (Cl-) bond to form NaCl (table salt).

Key Idea: Ionic Bonding

Ionic bonding happens between a positive ion and a negative ion.

Dot and Cross Diagrams

Represented diagrammatically using dot-and-cross diagrams, with electrons from each atom shown as dots and crosses, encompassed by brackets with the charge in superscript.

Example: Sodium Chloride Dot and Cross Diagram

The electron in sodium's outer energy level is transferred to the outer energy level of the chlorine atom.

Example: Calcium Chloride (CaCl₂) Ion Formation

Calcium loses two electrons, becoming a positive ion with a +2 charge.

Important Reminder: Electron Conservation

Electrons cannot be lost; they must be gained by another atom.