representing ionic bonding

There are 4 main diagrams that you should know the pros and cons of:

Dot and cross

Advantages: Shows the electronic structure of ions

Disadvantages: doesn’t show giant 3D lattice

2D

Advantages: shows regular repeating lattice

Disadvantages: only seeing a slice, no electronic structure

3D

Advantages: shows giant 3D lattice

Disadvantages: cant see ions on the inside of the structure

Ball and stick

Advantages: shows giant 3D lattice and ions inside

Disadvantages: shows gaps in structure

DRAWING DOT & CROSS

When asked to draw a dot and cross diagram of an ion you should first just draw the atom of the element with the original amount of electrons. Then, draw an arrow and write what number of electrons it gains/loses. Finally, draw the new ion with the updated number of electrons ( any new ones in a dot if drawn with crosses originally or vice versa ) and then draw brackets around and the charge.

For example: