Chemistry Double Science

Ionic Bonding (See your own notes for diagrams!)

Ionic compounds are formed when metals react with non-metals.
Ionic bonding is when atoms transfer electrons, atoms either lose or gain electrons.
Ions formed are held to each other by enormously strong forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions.
This electrostatic force of attraction is called the ionic bond.
Ionic bonds always produce giant ionic structures.
They are in a regular lattics arrangement.
There are very strong chemical bonds between all of the ions.
A single crystal of salt is 1 giant ionic lattice.
Because of the very strong chemical bonds, they have very high melting and boiling points.
When dissolved the ions seperate and are free to move in the solution and so they carry an electric current.
When they melt, ions are free to move and carry electric current.