C2(i) - Bonding and Reactions 5.

Ionic Bonding

Ionic Bonding - Transferring Electrons.

In ionic bonding, atoms lose or gain electrons to form charged particles(called ions) which are then strongly attached to one another because of the attraction between opposite charges.

A Shell with Just One Electron is Keen to Get Rid of It.

All the atoms over at the left-hand side of the periodic table e.g. sodium. potassium, calcium etc. have just one or two electrons in their outer shell. And they want to get rid of them, because then they'll have only full shells left., which is how they like it. So given half a chance they do get rid, and that leaves the atom as an ion instead. Ions tend to leap at the first passing ion with…