Ionic Bonding Lesson

Step 1: Count the number of valence electrons to be
accounted for in the structure.

Step 2: Draw the skeletal structure with the central
atom. Show shared pairs of electrons by using a —
(dash) instead of dots.

NH4

+1

The central atom will be the atom
with the least electronegativity or
carbon if present.

N

H H

H

H

Electrons: 5 + (4)1 – 1 = 8 e-

Hydrogen will never be the central
atom—it can only form one bond.
If more than one carbon is present,
they will be attached in the center.

N

H

H

H

H

Questions Time!!

Multiple Choice

A charged particle that has gained or lost electrons is called a _____.

• molecule

• ion

• isotope

• element

Multiple Choice

A cation is a ____ ion.

• negative

• positive

• neutral

• ficticious

Multiple Choice

A anion will be a ____ ion.

• negative

• positive

• neutral

• ficticious

Multiple Choice

Nitrogen will form which of the following ions?

• N

• N^-3

• N^-5

• N⁺⁵

Multiple Choice

Ionic bonds form between metals and ____.

• metalloids

• metals

• nonmetals

Multiple Choice

What determines how ionic bonds will form?

• Number of protons

• Mass of the atom

• Number of total electrons

• Number of valence electrons

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would produce an anion?

• Ca

• Al

• K

• F

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a characteristic property of ionic compounds?

• They form hard, brittle crystals with characteristic shapes

• They have low melting points

• They have low boiling points

• They contain no charged particles

Multiple Choice

An ionic bond is the attraction between:

• oppositely charged ions

• similarly charged ions

• neutral ions

• neutral atoms