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Ionic bonding: causes, charges and diagrams

Bonding, structure and the properties of matter • Chemical bonds

Key concepts

What you'll likely be quizzed about

  • Ionic bonding describes the strong electrostatic attraction between positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions).
  • It forms when one atom transfers one or more electrons to another, resulting in charged particles that attract each other.
  • This creates a regular three-dimensional lattice structure of alternating ions.

Flashcards

Test your knowledge with interactive flashcards

How to calculate the empirical formula from a diagram showing ions?

Click to reveal answer

Count the number of cations and anions in the repeating unit, then reduce to the simplest whole-number ratio balancing total charges.

Key notes

Important points to keep in mind

Ionic bonding results from electron transfer and electrostatic attraction.

Metals in Group 1 form +1 ions; Group 2 form +2 ions; Group 6 non-metals form -2 ions; Group 7 non-metals form -1 ions.

Dot-and-cross diagrams display only outer-shell electrons and indicate electron transfer.

Ions are represented in brackets with their charges post-transfer.

Empirical formulas balance total charges in the simplest whole-number ratio.

Regular repeating patterns of alternating charges indicate an ionic lattice.

Ionic compounds conduct electricity only when ions can move, such as when molten or in solution.

Stronger ionic bonds arise from larger charges and smaller ionic radii.

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