43 The Ionic Bond
LumenLearning
Ionic Bonding and Electron Transfer
An ionic bond results from the transfer of an electron from a metal atom to a non-metal atom.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Identify the key features of ionic bonds
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Key Points
- Ionic bonds are formed between cations and anions.
- A cation is formed when a metal ion loses a valence electron while an anion is formed when a non-metal gains a valence electron. They both achieve a more stable electronic configuration through this exchange.
- Ionic solids form crystalline lattices, or repeating patterns of atoms, with high melting points, and are typically soluble in water.
Key Terms
- electrolyte: An ionic compound which dissolves in H2O, making the resulting solution capable of conducting electricity.
- electronegativity: The tendency of an atom to attract electrons to itself.
- cation: A positively charged ion.
- anion: A negatively charged ion.
Ionic Bonds
Ionic bonding is a type of chemical bond in which valence electrons are lost from one atom and gained by another. This exchange results in a more stable, noble gas electronic configuration for both atoms involved. An ionic bond is based on attractive electrostatic forces between two ions of opposite charge.
Cations and Anions
Ionic bonds involve a cation and an anion. The bond is formed when an atom, typically a metal, loses an electron or electrons, and becomes a positive ion, or cation. Another atom, typically a non-metal, is able to acquire the electron(s) to become a negative ion, or anion.
One example of an ionic bond is the formation of sodium fluoride, NaF, from a sodium atom and a fluorine atom. In this reaction, the sodium atom loses its single valence electron to the fluorine atom, which has just enough space to accept it. The ions produced are oppositely charged and are attracted to one another due to electrostatic forces.
At the macroscopic scale, ionic compounds form lattices, are crystalline solids under normal conditions, and have high melting points. Most of these solids are soluble in [latex]\text{H}_2\text{O}[/latex] and conduct electricity when dissolved. The ability to conduct electricity in solution is why these substances are called electrolytes. Table salt, [latex]\text{NaCl}[/latex], is a good example of this type of compound.
Ionic bonds differ from covalent bonds. Both types result in the stable electronic states associated with the noble gases. However, in covalent bonds, the electrons are shared between the two atoms. All ionic bonds have some covalent character, but the larger the difference in electronegativity between the two atoms, the greater the ionic character of the interaction.
Ionic Bonding – YouTube: In this video, Paul Andersen explains how ionic solids form when cations and anions are attracted.
Lattice Energy
Lattice energy is a measure of the bond strength in an ionic compound.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe lattice energy and the factors that affect it
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Key Points
- Latt