Ions and Ionic bonds

Ion

An atom or group of atoms that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a positive or negative charge.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains electrons.

Ionic Bonding

A type of bonding that occurs when metal atoms transfer electrons to non-metal atoms, resulting in the formation of oppositely charged ions that attract each other.

Properties of Ionic Compounds

High melting and boiling points, soluble in water, conduct electricity when molten or dissolved, and have a crystal structure.

Dot-and-Cross Diagrams

Diagrams that show how electrons are transferred in ionic bonding, with dots representing one atom's electrons and crosses representing another's.

Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Formation

Occurs when sodium loses one electron to form Na⁺ and chlorine gains one electron to form Cl⁻, resulting in an ionic bond.

Magnesium Ion (Mg²⁺) Formation

Formed when a magnesium atom loses two electrons to achieve a stable configuration, resulting in a charge of +2.

Magnesium Chloride (MgCl₂) Formation

Formed when magnesium loses two electrons to form Mg²⁺ and two chlorine atoms each gain one electron to form two Cl⁻, leading to the compound MgCl₂.

Common Ionic Compounds

NaCl, KCl, LiF, MgCl₂, CaCl₂, Na₂O, K₂O are examples of ionic compounds formed from different group combinations.