Ionic Bonding

Question 1

What is a stable electronic structure?

Answer 1

Atoms that have 8 electrons filling their outer shell.

Question 2

What type of ion is formed when atoms lose an electron?

Answer 2

Positive (loses negativity)

Question 3

What type of ion is formed when atoms gain an electron?

Answer 3

Negative (gains negativity)

Question 4

What type of atoms will lose electrons to become stable?

Answer 4

Metal

Question 5

What is ionic bonding between?

Answer 5

Metal and non-metal

Question 6

Describe the ionic bonding of magnesium oxide.

Answer 6

• Magnesium loses two electrons

- Oxygen gains two electrons

Question 7

What structures do sodium chloride and magnesium oxide form?

Answer 7

• Giant ionic lattice
• Positive ions have strong electrostatic attraction to negative ions
• Can conduct electricity when molten
• Sodium chloride solution can conduct electricity

Question 8

What are the physical properties of magnesium oxide and sodium chloride?

Answer 8

• Have high mp as there are strong electrostatic attractions between positive and negative ions
• Don’t conduct electricity when in solid form as there are no free ions
• Can conduct electricity in solution or when molten because the ions are free to move

Question 9

Why does MgO have a higher mp than NaCl?

Answer 9

• Magnesium gives 2 electrons rather than just one to the oxygen atom so the electrostatic attraction is stronger
• Magnesium are small in radius so they can get very close the oxygen making the bond stronger so more energy is needed to separate the ions