Ionic Compounds Overview

Study Notes

Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are formed by electrostatic attractions between positively charged cations and negatively charged anions.
Ionic solids have a crystalline structure, with ions arranged in repeating patterns called a crystal lattice.
Cations are smaller than their parent atoms because they lose electrons and an entire energy level.
Anions are larger than their parent atoms due to electron-electron repulsion, having more electrons than protons.
Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points due to strong ionic bonds.
Ionic solids do not conduct electricity in their solid state.
Ionic compounds conduct electricity when dissolved in water (aqueous solution) or molten because ions are free to move, allowing electron flow.
Ionic solids are hard, brittle, and rigid; they break along cleavage planes where like charges repel.
Lattice energy is the energy to separate one mole of an ionic compound.
Lattice energy increases with the charge of the ions; larger charge, greater energy.
Lattice energy increases as the distance between ions decreases; smaller ions, greater energy.

Metallic Bonding

Metallic bonding occurs in pure metals (e.g., silver, gold, zinc, copper).
The electron sea model describes metallic bonding as a "sea" of delocalized electrons surrounding metal ions.
Metals are excellent conductors because electrons can move freely around cations.
The attraction between delocalized electrons and metal cations is the metallic bond.
Metals have moderately high melting points due to cation and electron mobility.
Metals have extremely high boiling points because separating neutral atoms from delocalized electrons is difficult.
Metals are malleable and ductile due to electron mobility.
Metal strength generally increases with the number of delocalized electrons.

Alloys

Alloys are mixtures of elements with metallic properties.
Many alloys are mixtures of two or more metals.
Substitutional alloys form when atoms of similar size replace each other in the metallic crystal.
Interstitial alloys form when smaller atoms fill the spaces between larger atoms in the metallic crystal.

Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts related to ionic compounds, including their structure, properties, and behavior in different states. Learn about cations, anions, lattice energy, and the electrical conductivity of ionic compounds. Enhance your understanding of how ionic bonds contribute to the characteristics of these compounds.