Ionic and Covalent Bonds

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Electronic Structure Noun

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[eh-lek-tron-ik struk-cher]

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Electronic Structure

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The specific arrangement of electrons in different energy levels or shells around the nucleus of an atom.

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Example: This diagram shows an atom's electronic structure, with electrons arranged in specific energy levels, or shells, orbiting the central nucleus.

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Valence Electrons Noun

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[vay-lense eh-lek-trons]

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Valence Electrons

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The electrons located in the outermost energy level of an atom, which are directly involved in chemical bonding.

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Example: This Bohr model of a Sodium atom shows its electrons in shells. The single electron in the outermost shell is the valence electron.

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Electronegativity Noun

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[eh-lek-tro-neg-a-tiv-i-tee]

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Electronegativity

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A measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons in a chemical bond.

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Example: The difference in electronegativity between two atoms determines the type of bond: a small difference results in a covalent bond, while a large difference results in an ionic bond.

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Ionic Bond Noun

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[eye-on-ik bond]

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Ionic Bond

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A chemical bond formed by the complete transfer of one or more electrons from a metal to a non-metal atom.

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Example: A sodium atom transfers an electron to a chlorine atom, creating a positive sodium ion and a negative chloride ion that attract to form an ionic bond.

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Covalent Bond Noun

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[ko-vay-lent bond]

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Covalent Bond

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A chemical bond formed when two non-metal atoms achieve stability by sharing one or more pairs of electrons.

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Example: This diagram shows two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom sharing their outer electrons to form stable covalent bonds, creating a water molecule.

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Ion Noun

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[eye-on]

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Ion

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An atom or group of atoms that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge.

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Example: A neutral sodium atom with an equal number of protons and electrons loses one electron, resulting in a positively charged sodium ion (Na+).

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Cation Noun

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[kat-eye-on]

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Cation

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A positively charged ion that is formed when a neutral atom, typically a metal, loses one or more electrons.

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Example: A neutral sodium atom loses its outer electron, resulting in more protons than electrons, which gives the new sodium ion (a cation) a positive charge.

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Anion Noun

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[an-eye-on]

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Anion

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A negatively charged ion that is formed when a neutral atom, typically a non-metal, gains one or more electrons.

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Example: A neutral chlorine atom gains one electron, becoming a chloride ion with more electrons (18) than protons (17), resulting in a negative charge.

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Ionic Compound Noun

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[eye-on-ik kom-pound]

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Ionic Compound

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A chemical compound composed of positive and negative ions held together by the electrostatic forces of an ionic bond.

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Example: A sodium (Na) atom gives one electron to a chlorine (Cl) atom, forming positive (Na+) and negative (Cl-) ions that attract each other to create an ionic bond.

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Crystalline Lattice Noun

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[kris-tuh-lin lat-iss]

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Crystalline Lattice

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The highly ordered, repeating three-dimensional arrangement of ions, atoms, or molecules that forms a crystalline solid.

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Example: In a crystalline lattice, atoms like Sodium (Na) and Chlorine (Cl) are arranged in a repeating 3D pattern, held together by ionic bonds.