Chemical Bonding and Ionic Compounds

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering the fundamentals of atoms, ions, and the different types of chemical bonding with a focus on ionic bonds.

Atoms

The smallest particle of an element that has the chemical properties of that element.

Molecules of elements

Consist of a fixed number of one kind of atom only, for example, $H_2$.

Molecules of compounds

Exist of a fixed number of two or more different kinds of atoms chemically combined together, for example, $H_2O$.

Ion

A charged particle.

Cations

Positively charged particles.

Anions

Negatively charged particles.

Valence electrons

The number of electrons in the outermost shell of an atom which determine its chemical properties.

Bonding

The way atoms of elements combine in different ways to form stable molecules or compounds, typically because their original electron configurations are unstable (other than noble gases).

Ionic Bonding

A type of bonding occurring between a metal and a non-metal involving the complete transfer of valence electron(s).

Covalent Bonding

A type of bonding occurring between two or more non-metal atoms involving a sharing of electrons.

Metallic Bonding

A type of bonding that occurs in metals.

Total charges in ionic compounds

The total positive charges MUST be equal to the total negative charges.

Noble gas configuration

A full outer shell or a stable electronic configuration attained when atoms lose or gain valence electrons.

Ionic compound formation steps

1. Loss of an electron(s) by the metal. 02. Gain of an electron(s) by the non-metal. 03. Attraction between oppositely charged particles.

Properties of Ionic Compounds

Form crystals; hard and brittle; high melting and boiling points; conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in water; often soluble in water; high enthalpies of fusion and vaporization; solids are good insulators.

Chemical bond (general definition)

A force of attraction between atoms that results from the redistribution of their electrons.

Ionic bonds (specific definition)

Strong electrostatic forces of attraction between positive cations and negative anions that hold ionic compounds together.