2.2.2 Bonding and structure

Question 1

Define the term ionic bond

Answer 1

An ionic bond is an electrostatic attraction between positive and negative ions.

Question 2

Simple ionic compounds

Answer 2

• contain metal ions and non-metal ions.
• form positive and negative ions.
• often have outer shells that have the same electron configuration as a noble gas (they are isoelectronic).

Question 3

What is a giant ionic lattice and why do they form?

Answer 3

Giant ionic lattices occur because each ion attracts an oppositely charged ion in all directions. Giant ionic lattices contain billions of ions. The amount can only be determined by the size of the crystals.
An example of an ionic lattice would be sodium chloride aka table salt
Each Na+ ion attracts 6 Cl- ions
Each Cl- ion attracts 6 Na+ ions

Question 4

Properties of giant ionic compounds

Answer 4

• most ionic compounds are solid at room temperature, they have high melting and boiling points as there is insufficient energy to overcome the electrostatic attraction between ions.
• many ionic compounds dissolve in polar solvents such as water.
• do not conduct electricity when solid but in solution they do conduct as the ions are free to move as mobile carriers.

Question 5

Define the term covalent bond

Answer 5

A strong electrostatic attraction between a shared pair of electrons and the nuclei of bonded atoms.