Chemistry · Bonding, Structure and Properties of Matter
Ionic Bonding
Spec 5.2.1.2📗 Foundation
Interactive · transfer electrons step by step
Theory · read, then commit
Ionic bonding happens between a metal and a non-metal. The metal transfers its outer electrons to the non-metal, and the oppositely charged ions that form attract one another.
Checkpoint · quick check
State the type of bonding that forms when a metal reacts with a non-metal.
Which ion does an atom form?
➕Metals → positive ions
Group 1 → +1 (Na⁺), Group 2 → +2 (Mg²⁺), Group 3 → +3 (Al³⁺).
➖Non-metals → negative ions
Group 7 → −1 (Cl⁻), Group 6 → −2 (O²⁻), Group 5 → −3 (N³⁻).
⚖️Charges must balance
An ionic compound is overall neutral — MgCl₂ needs two Cl⁻ for one Mg²⁺.
Checkpoint · quick check
Chlorine is in Group 7. State the charge on a chloride ion.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Students often say the ionic bond IS the transfer of electrons from the metal to the non-metal. That is not the bond: the transfer is a one-off event that only creates the ions. The ionic bond itself is the strong electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions produced. Remember too that these charges must balance, so every ionic compound has an overall charge of zero.
Retrieval · Match the Ion to its Charge
Test yourself · 10 questions, exam order
⭐Examiner Tip
Describing how an ionic bond forms, don't stop at "electrons transfer" — that only makes the ions. The bond is the strong electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions. Then check the charges balance to an overall zero.
0 of 10 answered
Warm-up · 2 questions
Identify the pair of elements that will form an ionic bond.
Magnesium forms a Mg²⁺ ion. State how many electrons a magnesium atom loses.
Exam standard · 4 questions
Describe how you can use an element's group number to predict the charge on its ion.
Sodium (2.8.1) reacts with chlorine (2.8.7) to form sodium chloride. Describe what happens to the electrons.
Explain why an ionic compound such as sodium chloride has no overall electrical charge.
Determine the formula of calcium chloride. (Calcium is in Group 2, chlorine is in Group 7.)
Stretch · 4 questions
Explain, in terms of electron arrangement, why metals form positive ions but non-metals form negative ions.
Describe how a dot-and-cross diagram represents the formation of the ions in sodium chloride.
Magnesium reacts with chlorine. Deduce the formula of the compound formed and justify it using the ion charges.
Potassium reacts with oxygen. Predict the formula of potassium oxide and justify your answer using ion charges. (K is Group 1, O is Group 6.)
Key note · cover it, say it, check it
Revision card · 6 stepsIonic Bonding
01Ionic bonding: metal loses electrons → positive ion.
02Non-metal gains electrons → negative ion.
03Opposite charges attract → ionic bond.
04Both achieve full outer shells.
05Group number tells you charge: Group 1 → +1, Group 7 → −1 etc.
06Overall compound charge = zero.
Exam ladder · Ionic Bonding
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