Ionic Bonding

Ionic Bonding

1. Ionic bonds are formed by one atom transferring electrons to another atom to
form ions.
2. Ions are atoms, or groups of atoms, which have lost or gained electrons.
3. The atom losing electrons forms a positive ion (a cation) and is usually a
metal.
4. The atom gaining electrons forms a negative ion (an anion) and is usually a
non-metallic element.
5. Ions of opposite charge will attract one another by strong electrostatic force,
thus creating an ionic bond.
6. Ionic bond is also known as electrovalence bond.
Example: Ionic Bonding between Group 1 Metals and Group 17 Elements


1. Figure above shows the illustration of the formation of ionic bond between a
sodium atom (group 1 metal) and a chlorine atom (group 17 element).
2. The electron arrangement of sodium atom is 2.8.1, which is not octet and
hence not stable.
3. To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the sodium atom donate/release one
electron and form sodium ion.
4. The electron arrangement of chlorine atom is 2.8.7, which is also not octet and
hence not stable, too.
5. To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the chlorine atom receives one
electron from sodium atom and form a chloride ion.
6. The sodium ion and the chloride ion carry opposite charge, hence they attract
each other and form an ionic bond between each other.

Example: Ionic Bonding between Group 2 Metals and Group 17 Elements


1. Figure above shows the illustration of the formation of ionic bond between two
potassium atoms (group 1 metal) and an oxygen atom (group 16 element).
2. The electron arrangement of potassium atom is 2.8.8.1, which is not octet and
hence not stable.
3. To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the potassium atom donate/release one
electron and form potassium ion.
4. The electron arrangement of oxygen atom is 2.6, which is also not octet and
hence not stable, too.
5. To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the oxygen atom receives two
electrons from potassium atoms and form an oxide ion.
6. The potassium ions and the oxide ion carry opposite charge, hence they attract
each other and form two ionic bond between the ions.

Example: Ionic Bonding between Group 2 Metals and Group 16 Elements


1. Figure above shows the illustration of the formation of ionic bond between a
calcium atom (group 2 metal) and an oxygen atom (group 16 element).
2. The electron arrangement of calcium atom is 2.8.8.2, which is not octet and
hence not stable.
3. To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the potassium atom donate/release two
electrons and form calcium ion.
4. The electron arrangement of oxygen atom is 2.6, which is also not octet and
hence not stable, too.
5. To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the oxygen atom receives two
electrons from the calcium atom and form an oxide ion.
6. The calcium ion and the oxide ion carry opposite charge, hence they attract
each other and form an ionic bond between each other.