Chemical Bonding and Ion Formation

An ion is an electrically charged atom or group of atoms formed by the loss or gain of electrons. This loss or gain leaves a full outer shell of electrons.

The number of electrons in the outer electron shell determines whether an atom will become a positively charged ion (by losing electrons) or a negatively charged ion (by gaining electrons).

Ionic compounds are formed when atoms of metals transfer electrons to atoms of non-metals to form compounds made up of ions.

<p>The electronic structure of an ion will be the same as that of a noble gas. This means that ions will have a full outer shell of electrons, similar to Helium, Neon, and Argon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Electron transfer from one atom to another to form ions with complete outer shells of electrons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Metals on the left of the Periodic Table and non-metals on the right of the Periodic Table.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The metal loses electron(s) and the non-metal gains electron(s) to form oppositely charged ions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Example 1: NaCl. The outer electron of sodium transfers to chlorine, producing Na+1 and Cl-1 ions with complete octets.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The two outer electrons of Mg transfer to O, producing Mg+2 and O-2 ions with complete octets.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mg has to lose two electrons to attain a full octet, and Cl needs to gain one electron to attain a full octet. One magnesium atom combines with two chlorine atoms to produce Mg+2 and two Cl-1 ions.</p> Signup and view all the answers