Ionic bonding

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When atoms of elements join together to make a compound, we say they bond. Ionic bonding is the way in which an atom of a metal joins with an atom of a non-metal. In an atom, the electrons are arranged in shells around the nucleus. The number of electrons an atom has is the same as its atomic number (which you can get from the Periodic Table). The number of electrons in the outer shell is the same as the Group number of the element. When atoms bond, they each end up with a complete outer shell of electrons. You may remember that the noble gases in Group 0 are very unreactive this is because they have a complete outer shell. Example 1 Sodium chloride Sodium Sodium (Na) has an atomic number of 11, so its electronic structure can be written as: x x x x x x x x x x x Chlorine Chlorine (Cl) has an atomic number of 17, so its electronic structure can be written as: x x x x x x x x x x xx x x x For chlorine to get a complete outer shell of electrons, it will need to gain one electron.

For sodium to get a complete outer shell of electrons it will need to lose one electron. So sodium needs to lose one electron and chlorine needs to gain one electron. Sodium gives its outer shell electron to chlorine. Both atoms now have a complete outer shell. (Note: When drawing the bonding it is OK just to show the outer shell electrons.) x x x Na x x Cl x x x

The formula for sodium chloride is NaCl. Sodium has lost an electron (negative charge) and forms a sodium ion (Na+). Chlorine gains an electron and forms a chloride ion (Cl). It is called ionic bonding because ions are made. Because positive and negative charges attract, this helps to hold the ions together in the compound.

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Example 2 Magnesium chloride If we draw just the outer shell electrons, we can see that magnesium has two electrons in its outer shell and chlorine has seven electrons. This means that in order to have complete outer shells, magnesium needs to lose two electrons and chlorine needs to gain one electron. To make this work, we need to have two chlorine atoms, each gaining one electron. This means that the formula for magnesium chloride is MgCl2. x x x Mg x x x x Cl x x x x x Cl x x

In both the examples shown, the metals (Na and Mg) have lost electrons and the non-metal (Cl) has gained electrons. It always happens this way. Electrons go from the metal atom to the non-metal atom. So metals always form positive ions and non-metals form negative ions. 1 The formula for a magnesium ion is Mg2+. Can you explain why?

Draw diagrams to show the ionic bonding in these compounds. You only need to draw the outer shell electrons. The Group numbers for each element are given to help you work out how many electrons there are in the outer shell. (a) Magnesium oxide (Mg = group 2; O = group 6)

(b)

Sodium fluoride (Na = group 1; F = group 7)

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(c) 3

Lithium oxide (Li = group 1; O = group 6)

What is the formula for these ions? oxide (oxygen ion) fluoride (fluorine ion) lithium ion

A book of data gives the following information for two well known ionic compounds: Compound sodium chloride magnesium oxide a) b) Melting point (C) 808 2800 Boiling point (C) 1465 3600

Which compound has the higher melting and boiling points? Complete this table showing the charges on the ions. sodium Na+ chloride magnesium oxide

c)

From your answers in part (b), suggest why magnesium oxide has a higher melting and boiling point than sodium chloride.

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Longman Foundation Science for GCSE

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Longman Foundation Science for GCSE