What is an ionic bond?
Q: What is an ionic bond?
A: An ionic bond is the electrostatic forces of attraction between a non-metal and a metal ion in a giant ionic crystal lattice.
Q: How does an ionic bond occur?
A: An ionic bond occurs when charged atoms (ions) attract. This happens after a metal atom loses one or more of its electrons to the non-metal atom.
Q: What makes the ionic bond stronger?
A: The greater the difference in charge between the metal and non-metal ion, the stronger the ionic bond.
Q: How many electrons can be transferred during the process of an ionic bond?
A: A maximum of three electrons can be transferred in the process.
Q: What happens to a metal atom during an ionic bond?
A: A metal atom becomes a positive cation because it loses electron(s).
Q: What happens to a non-metal atom during an ionic bond?
A: A non-metal atom becomes a negative anion as it gains electron(s).
Q: Can you describe an example of an ionic bond?
A: An example of an ionic bond is when sodium and chlorine join to form common table salt, NaCl. First, sodium atoms (Na) oxidize and lose an electron to form positively charged sodium ions (Na+). Chlorine atoms gain the electrons from the sodium atoms to form negatively charged chloride ions (Cl-). Both ions are now oppositely charged and they are held by strong electrostatic forces of attraction.
