AQA · GCSE · Chemistry
Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018
Ionic bonding occurs in compounds formed from metals combined with…
Full specification wording
Chemical bonds: Ionic bonding occurs in compounds formed from metals combined with non-metals.
Ionic bonding is found in compounds made from a metal and a non-metal.
Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 6
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Ionic bonding is found in compounds made from a metal and a non-metal. The metal atoms lose electrons to form positive ions, and the non-metal atoms gain electrons to form negative ions. The oppositely charged ions are held together by strong electrostatic attraction in a giant ionic lattice. For example, magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide, MgO, containing Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ ions. Sodium chloride, NaCl, contains Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. You should be able to identify from a formula or a reaction whether ionic bonding is present by checking that a metal is combined with a non-metal. You should also be able to explain why the compound is neutral overall: the total positive charge equals the total negative charge. This rule helps you work out formulas such as MgCl₂, where one Mg²⁺ balances two Cl⁻ ions.
What earns the marks
- States that ionic bonding occurs in compounds formed from metals combined with non-metals.
- Identifies the metal as the element that forms positive ions and the non-metal as the element that forms negative ions.
- Gives an example such as NaCl, MgO or CaCl₂ and names the ions present.
- Explains that the overall compound is neutral because positive and negative charges balance.
- Uses the charges to deduce a formula, for example Mg²⁺ with Cl⁻ gives MgCl₂.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying ionic bonding occurs between two non-metals.
Put it right: Ionic bonding occurs between a metal and a non-metal; two non-metals usually form covalent bonds.
Writing ion charges with baseline signs, for example writing the charge inline.
Put it right: Use superscript signs such as Mg²⁺, O²⁻ and Cl⁻.
Forgetting to balance charges when writing a formula.
Put it right: Check that the total positive charge equals the total negative charge, as in MgCl₂.
Exam tips
- Check the periodic table: metals are on the left and centre, non-metals on the right.
- When writing a formula, write the ions first with their charges, then balance them.
- Link the formation of ions to the transfer of electrons from metal to non-metal.
Try the lesson
The start of the Chemical bonds: Ionic bonding occurs in compounds formed from metals combined with non-metals. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Ionic bonding occurs in compounds formed from which combination of elements?
Listen
Ionic bonding is found in compounds made from a metal and a non-metal. The metal atoms lose electrons to form positive ions, and the non-metal atoms gain electrons to form negative ions. The oppositely charged ions are held together by strong electrostatic attraction in a giant ionic lattice. For example, magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide, MgO, containing Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ ions. Sodium chloride, NaCl, contains Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. You should be able to identify from a formula or a reaction whether ionic bonding is present by checking that a metal is combined with a non-metal. You should also be able to explain why the compound is neutral overall: the total positive charge equals the total negative charge. This rule helps you work out formulas such as MgCl₂, where one Mg²⁺ balances two Cl⁻ ions. A strong answer earns marks for these points. States that ionic bonding occurs in compounds formed from metals combined with non-metals. Identifies the metal as the element that forms positive ions and the non-metal as the element that forms negative ions. Gives an example such as NaCl, MgO or CaCl₂ and names the ions present. Explains that the overall compound is neutral because positive and negative charges balance. A common slip: Saying ionic bonding occurs between two non-metals. Instead, ionic bonding occurs between a metal and a non-metal; two non-metals usually form covalent bonds. Exam tip: Check the periodic table: metals are on the left and centre, non-metals on the right.
See it
Key words
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Ionic bonding
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Metal and non-metal compounds
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Ion formation
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Charge balance
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See every definition
- Ionic bonding
- Occurs in compounds formed from metals combined with non-metals, where oppositely charged ions are held together by strong electrostatic attraction in a giant ionic lattice.
- Metal and non-metal compounds
- Compounds in which the metal atoms lose electrons to form positive ions and the non-metal atoms gain electrons to form negative ions.
- Ion formation
- Metal atoms lose electrons to form positive ions, and non-metal atoms gain electrons to form negative ions.
- Charge balance
- The overall compound is neutral because the total positive charge equals the total negative charge, which helps work out formulas.
Label the diagram
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