Ionic Compounds Unit Review

Front

What is an ionic compound?

Back

An ionic compound is a chemical compound composed of ions held together by electrostatic forces termed ionic bonding. They typically form between metals and nonmetals.

Front

What is the charge of a cation?

Back

A cation has a positive charge, formed when a metal loses one or more electrons.

Front

What is the charge of an anion?

Back

An anion has a negative charge, formed when a nonmetal gains one or more electrons.

Front

What is the octet rule?

Back

The octet rule states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a full valence shell of eight electrons, leading to greater stability.

Front

How do you determine the formula of an ionic compound?

Back

To determine the formula, balance the total positive and negative charges of the ions to ensure the compound is neutral.

Front

What is the significance of valence electrons in bonding?

Back

Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and are involved in forming bonds. Atoms seek to have a full valence shell.

Front

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

Back

When an atom becomes a cation, it loses electrons and typically decreases in size due to reduced electron-electron repulsion.

Front

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

Back

When an atom becomes an anion, it gains electrons and typically increases in size due to increased electron-electron repulsion.

Front

What is the role of electronegativity in ionic bonding?

Back

Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons. In ionic bonding, a more electronegative nonmetal attracts electrons from a less electronegative metal.

Front

What is a crystal lattice structure?

Back

A crystal lattice structure is a three-dimensional arrangement of ions in an ionic compound, maximizing attractions and minimizing repulsions.