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Ionic bonds

When a metal meets a non-metal, the metal atom gives the electrons of its outer shell away and becomes a positive ion (a cation), and the non-metal atom takes them and becomes a negative ion (an anion), so that both end up with a full outer shell of eight. The strong attraction between oppositely charged ions is an ionic bond, and the compound as a whole is neutral: Na⁺ and F⁻ make sodium fluoride, Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ make magnesium oxide. Ionic compounds form regular crystal lattices, are brittle, don't conduct as solids, mostly dissolve in water, and conduct when dissolved.

Depth 1 · Foundation

You can explain why a metal atom gives electrons and a non-metal atom takes them (to reach a full outer shell of eight), work out the ions and formula of a simple ionic compound, and say what an ionic bond is.

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Depths of understanding

  1. 1

    Foundation

    You can explain why a metal atom gives electrons and a non-metal atom takes them (to reach a full outer shell of eight), work out the ions and formula of a simple ionic compound, and say what an ionic bond is.

    Opens after

    IonsAn ionic bond is the pull between the ions an atom becomes when it gives or takes electrons.
  2. 2

    Deeper

    You know the properties of ionic compounds - a regular crystal lattice, brittleness, no conduction as a solid but conduction when dissolved or melted, mostly soluble in water - and can explain each from the ions.

    Master depth 1 first

    SolutionsSeveral properties of ionic compounds show up when they dissolve.

Your path here

What's still between you and Ionic bonds, depth 1, in the order you can learn it.

  1. 1Melting and freezingDepth 1 · Foundation · Matter and Its Properties
  2. 2States of matterDepth 1 · Foundation · Matter and Its Properties
  3. 3MatterDepth 1 · Foundation · Matter and Its Properties
  4. 4MatterDepth 2 · Deeper · Matter and Its Properties
  5. 5States of matterDepth 2 · Deeper · Matter and Its Properties
  6. 6Melting and freezingDepth 2 · Deeper · Matter and Its Properties
  7. 7Evaporation and condensationDepth 1 · Foundation · Matter and Its Properties
  8. 8Particle modelDepth 1 · Foundation · Matter and Its Properties
  9. 9AtomDepth 1 · Foundation · Atoms and Elements
  10. 10Parts of an atomDepth 1 · Foundation · Atoms and Elements
  11. 11ElementDepth 1 · Foundation · Atoms and Elements
  12. 12Chemical symbolDepth 1 · Foundation · Atoms and Elements
  13. 13Periodic tableDepth 1 · Foundation · Atoms and Elements
  14. 14AtomDepth 2 · Deeper · Atoms and Elements
  15. 15ForceDepth 1 · Foundation · Mechanics
  16. 16ForceDepth 2 · Deeper · Mechanics
  17. 17MagnetsDepth 1 · Foundation · Mechanics
  18. 18Contact and non-contact forcesDepth 1 · Foundation · Mechanics
  19. 19Static electricityDepth 1 · Foundation · Electricity
  20. 20Parts of an atomDepth 2 · Deeper · Atoms and Elements
  21. 21Atomic numberDepth 1 · Foundation · Atoms and Elements
  22. 22IonsDepth 1 · Foundation · Atoms and Elements
  23. 23Ionic bondsDepth 1 · Foundation · Chemical Bonding

Where it fits

Builds on

IonsAtoms and Elements

This concept

Ionic bondsChemical Bonding