Ionic Bonding and Valence Electrons (Notes Review)

Vocabulary flashcards covering valence electrons, octet rule, electron transfer, and ionic bonding as described in the notes.

Valence electron

An electron in the outermost shell that participates in bonding; chlorine has seven valence electrons.

Chlorine (Cl)

A halogen with seven valence electrons that tends to gain one electron to complete its octet.

Sodium (Na)

An alkali metal that tends to lose one electron to form Na+, achieving a stable electron configuration.

Electron transfer

The process of moving an electron from a donor atom (sodium) to an acceptor atom (chlorine), creating ions.

Ionic bond

The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions formed after electron transfer.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses electrons (e.g., Na+).

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains electrons (e.g., Cl−).

Sodium chloride (NaCl)

A compound formed from Na+ and Cl− held together by an ionic bond.

Octet rule

Rule that atoms are most stable with eight electrons in their valence shell.

Ionization

The process of removing electrons to form positive ions.