Principles of Chemistry - bonding

These flashcards cover key concepts related to ionic bonding and the behavior of ions, essential for understanding IGCSE Chemistry.

What are ions and how are they formed?

Ions are atoms that have lost or gained electron/electrons.

How do metal and nonmetal atoms behave in ionic bonding?

Metal atoms lose electrons to become positively charged ions, while nonmetal atoms gain electrons to become negatively charged ions.

What is a cation?

A cation is a positive ion.

What is an anion?

An anion is a negative ion.

What is the charge of Group 1 metals?

+1

What is the charge of Group 2 metals?

+2

What is the charge of Group 3 metals?

+3

What charge do Group 5 nonmetals typically carry?

-3

What charge do Group 6 nonmetals typically carry?

-2

What charge do Group 7 nonmetals typically carry?

-1

What is the significance of ionic compounds having no overall charge?

The charges of the ions in an ionic compound must cancel out to have no overall charge.

What is an example of a giant ionic structure?

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is an example of a giant ionic structure.

Why do ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points?

They have strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions, which require a lot of energy to overcome.

Can ionic compounds conduct electricity when solid?

No, ionic compounds cannot conduct electricity when solid because ions are in fixed positions.

When do ionic compounds conduct electricity?

Ionic compounds conduct electricity when molten or in aqueous solution because ions are free to move.

What is ionic bonding primarily characterized by?

Ionic bonding is characterized by strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions.