ions and ionic bonding

Front

What is an ion?

Back

A charged atom that has lost or gained one or more electrons.

Front

What is a cation?

Back

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses electrons.

Front

What is an anion?

Back

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains electrons.

Front

Why do atoms form ions?

Back

Atoms form ions to achieve a stable electron configuration, often aiming for 8 valence electrons (octet rule).

Front

What charge does magnesium (Mg) have when it forms a cation?

Back

Mg²⁺ (loses 2 electrons).

Front

What is the charge of gallium (Ga) when it forms a cation?

Back

Ga³⁺ (loses 3 electrons).

Front

What is ionic bonding?

Back

A type of chemical bond formed through the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Front

What is the octet rule?

Back

The principle that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to have a full set of eight valence electrons.

Front

What happens to the size of an atom when it becomes a cation?

Back

The size decreases because losing electrons reduces electron-electron repulsion.

Front

What happens to the size of an atom when it becomes an anion?

Back

The size increases because gaining electrons increases electron-electron repulsion.