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Metals, non-metals and compoundsForming ionic compounds

In this OCR GCSE Chemistry study guide, we'll go through the group 0 elements, the noble gases, are all unreactive non-metal gases. We'll explain how they show trends in their physical properties and how their uses depend on their inertness, low density and non-flammability.

Part of Chemistry (Single Science)Chemical patterns

Forming ionic compounds

have only a few in their outer shell whereas atoms have lots of electrons in their outer shell. This means that metals tend to react with non-metals. When a metal reacts with a non-metal, electrons transfer from the metal to the non-metal. This creates oppositely charged :

  1. metal atoms lose electrons to form positive ions ()
  2. non-metal atoms gain electrons to form negative ions ()

The strong of attraction between the oppositely charged ions hold them together. A small separate like water only contains three atoms. However, an contains millions of ions, arranged in a regular 3D pattern. This arrangement is called a .

Ionic structure of sodium chloride forming a cubic lattice
Figure caption,
A three-dimensional model for the ionic lattice in sodium chloride

Dot and cross diagrams

A dot and cross diagram models the transfer of electrons from metal atoms to non-metal atoms. The electrons from one atom are shown as dots, and the electrons from the other atom are shown as crosses.

Example - sodium chloride

When sodium reacts with chlorine, one electron is transferred from the sodium atom to the chlorine atom. This creates a positive sodium ion and a negative chloride ion.

The outer electron from a sodium atom transfers to the outer shell of a chlorine atom
Figure caption,
The outer electron from a sodium atom transfers to the outer shell of a chlorine atom

For every sodium ion in sodium chloride there is one chloride ion.

Ionic compounds have no overall charge. The atoms must react in the correct ratio. This is shown in the dot and cross diagram.

Example - sodium oxide

When sodium reacts with oxygen the oxide has a charge of -2. Each sodium ion has a charge of +1.

Electron structures of sodium atoms with arrows pointing from the outer electrons to the outer ring of the oxygen atom.
Figure caption,
For every oxide ion in sodium oxide there are two sodium ions. The overall charge is then zero

The slideshow shows dot and cross diagrams for the ions in sodium chloride, magnesium oxide and calcium chloride.

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 6, Structures of a sodium atom and a chlorine atom., 1. Ionic bonding in sodium chloride