Ionic Bonding

Question 1

Define valency/shell/electrons

Answer 1

Valency is the amount of electrons needed to gain or lose to complete the outer shell

Valency Shell is the outer shell of an atom

Valency Electrons are the electrons located in the valency shell which participate in forming chemical bonds

Question 2

Explain what makes an atom reactive

Answer 2

An atom is reactive when its outer shell is not full, causing it to be unstable. An atoms with a nearly full or empty valency shell are highly reactive because they are trying to complete their outer shell.

Question 3

Explain why noble gases are not reactive

Answer 3

Noble gases are not reactive because they have a full valency shell, meaning they are a stable atom.

Question 4

Define ion and ionic bonding

Answer 4

An ion is an atom or molecule that has an electric charge because it has either gained or lost one or more electrons.
An ionic bond is a chemical bond formed when one atom gives up one or more electrons to another atom.

Question 5

Difference between cations and anions

Answer 5

Cations are positively charged ions, they form when an atom loses one or more electrons, this causes the atom to have more protons than electrons
Anions are negatively charged ions, the form when an ion gains electrons, this causes the atom to have electrons than protons

Question 6

Define ionic compound

Answer 6

A ionic compound is a substance made of positively and negatively charged ions that stick together because of their opposite charges. It forms when one atom gives up electrons and another atom takes them, creating a bond between the two.

Question 7

Describe the structure of ionic compounds

Answer 7

Ionic compounds have a repeating structure called a crystal lattice. In this structure, positive and negative ions are arranged in a grid-like pattern, where each positive ion is surrounded by negative ions vice versa.

Question 8

Define ionic bond

Answer 8

An ionic bond is when one atom gives up one or more electrons to another atom, creating positively and negatively charged ions.

Question 9

Define polyatomic ion

Answer 9

A polyatomic ion is a group of atoms that are bonded together and have an overall positive or negative charge.
The atoms in a polyatomic ion work together as a unit and act like a single charged particle.
For example (SO₄²⁻)