Ionic Bonding

Slide 1

What is Ionic Bonding?

• Ionic bonding occurs between a metal and a non-metal and is the transfer of electrons from one to another. They do this so that both of them can have full outer shells to make them less reactive. The transfer of electrons from one to another creates a charge and therefore the elements become ions.
• For example, in the diagram on the previous slide sodium (Na) transfers an electron to Chlorine (Cl) in order for both to have full outer shells. This means that the Na becomes and ion which a charge of 1+ and the Cl becomes and ion with a charge of 1-.
• There is an electrostatic attraction between between the ions so they form a giant ionic lattice.

Properties of Ionic Bonding.

• Ionic bonds have several properties, these are;
• High melting and boiling points due to the strong electrostatic attraction between the ions.
• The stronger the attraction, the higher the melting and boiling point (the ones with the highest charge have the strongest attraction)
• They can conduct electricity when molten or dissolved because the giant ionic structure is broken and the ions are free to move.