Ionic Bonding
Ionic bonding is the attraction between oppositely charged ions formed when a metal transfers electrons to a non-metal.
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Ionic bonding is the attraction between oppositely charged ions formed when a metal transfers electrons to a non-metal.
- Sodium chloride is the classic example
- Ionic compounds form giant lattices
- They conduct electricity when molten or dissolved
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Ionic Bonding?
Within Chemistry, which covers atoms, bonding, reactions, the periodic table, organic chemistry and the chemistry of everyday life, this topic explains Ionic Bonding. Chemistry links what you can see in the lab to the particles and bonds behind it, so each topic here shows that link in a model.
Check that you can explain Ionic Bonding in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Ionic Bonding helps you explain why substances behave as they do, from cleaning products and food to medicines.
Ionic Bonding in detail
An ionic bond forms between a metal and a non-metal when the metal atom transfers electrons to the non-metal, creating oppositely charged ions held together by strong electrostatic attraction. For example, sodium loses one electron to become Na⁺ and chlorine gains it to become Cl⁻, giving NaCl.
The ions arrange in a regular giant lattice. Dot-and-cross diagrams show the transfer, and the charge of the ion depends on the group: Group 1 forms 1+, Group 2 forms 2+, Group 6 forms 2− and Group 7 forms 1−. The formula shows the ratio of ions that balances the charge.
How the interactive helps you understand Ionic Bonding
Watch the bonding model in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the bonding model responds.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Ionic Bonding.
Real-life uses and examples
- Use Ionic Bonding to explain what happens in a lab experiment and why.
- Link Ionic Bonding to everyday products such as cleaning agents, food and medicines.
- Read a chemical equation or diagram and work out what Ionic Bonding shows.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Describing what happens without explaining the particles or bonds involved.
- Mixing up the names of substances or ions when you describe Ionic Bonding.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Ionic Bonding
What is Ionic Bonding?
Ionic bonding is the attraction between oppositely charged ions formed when a metal transfers electrons to a non-metal.
What are the most important points about Ionic Bonding?
The main points are: Sodium chloride is the classic example; Ionic compounds form giant lattices; They conduct electricity when molten or dissolved.
Why is Ionic Bonding useful?
Understanding Ionic Bonding helps you explain why substances behave as they do, from cleaning products and food to medicines.
How can I practise Ionic Bonding?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Ionic Bonding?
Related topics in Chemistry include Properties of Ionic Compounds, Allotropes of Carbon, Writing Chemical Equations.