Topic 5

What does an ionic compound consist of?

A large number of positive and negative ions held together in a pattern called a crystal lattice.

What is an ionic crystal lattice made up of?

Thousands of ions held together by forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions.

What are we describing when we write the formula for an ionic substance?

The simplest ratio of ions in the crystal lattice.

Why do the crystal lattices have different shapes?

The ions are different sizes and can pack together in different ways.

What happens in the formation of an ionic bond?

Electrons are transferred between atoms.

What do metal atoms always lose to form?

They lose electrons to form positive ions.

What do non-metal ions always gain to form?

They always gain electrons to form negative ions.

What do atoms lose or gain electrons for?

So that they can obtain a stable electron arrangement.

What is a substance that conducts electricity?

A conductor

What is a substance that doesn’t conduct electricity?

Insulator or non-conductor

What does MCP stand for?

Mobile Charged Particles

What is a flow of charged particles called?

An electric current

What type of charged particle moves when a metal or graphite conducts electricity?

Electrons

What type of charged particle moves when a molten ionic compound or ionic solution conducts electricity?

Ions

What is electrolysis?

The breaking down of a molten ionic compound or ionic solution into it’s elements using electricity.

What is an electrolyte?

An ionic solution or molten ionic compound which conducts electricity.