AQA · GCSE · Chemistry
Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018
When a metal atom reacts with a non-metal atom electrons in the outer…
Full specification wording
Ionic bonding: When a metal atom reacts with a non-metal atom electrons in the outer shell of the metal atom are transferred.
Ionic bonding occurs when a metal reacts with a non-metal, resulting in the complete transfer of outer shell electrons.
Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 7
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Ionic bonding occurs when a metal reacts with a non-metal, resulting in the complete transfer of outer shell electrons. Metal atoms have a small number of electrons in their highest energy level and lose them to achieve a stable, full outer shell, forming positively charged ions (cations). For example, a sodium atom loses its single outer electron to form a Na⁺ ion. These lost electrons are transferred directly to the outer shell of the non-metal atom, which gains them to complete its own outer shell, forming a negatively charged ion (anion), such as Cl⁻. This electron transfer creates the oppositely charged ions that form an ionic lattice.
What earns the marks
- State that metals lose electrons from their outer shell when reacting with non-metals.
- State that non-metals gain the electrons transferred from the metal atoms.
- Explain that the loss of electrons results in the formation of positive ions.
- Explain that the gain of electrons results in the formation of negative ions.
- Recognise that electron transfer allows both atoms to achieve a full outer electron shell.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Writing ionic charges incorrectly, such as Na+ or Cl-.
Put it right: Use superscript signs for ionic charges, such as Na⁺ and Cl⁻.
Stating that non-metals transfer electrons to metals.
Put it right: Electrons are always transferred from the metal atom to the non-metal atom.
Describing the process as sharing electrons.
Put it right: Ionic bonding involves the complete transfer of electrons, not sharing.
Exam tips
- Use dot and cross diagrams to clearly show the movement of electrons from the metal's outer shell to the non-metal's outer shell.
- Always state the charge of the resulting ions, ensuring you use the correct superscript notation (e.g., Mg²⁺, O²⁻).
- Remember that the number of electrons lost by the metal must equal the number of electrons gained by the non-metal, which may require multiple atoms (e.g., MgCl₂).
Try the lesson
The start of the Ionic bonding: When a metal atom reacts with a non-metal atom electrons in the outer shell of the metal atom are transferred. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
When a metal atom reacts with a non-metal atom, what happens to the outer-shell electrons of the metal atom?
Listen
Ionic bonding occurs when a metal reacts with a non-metal, resulting in the complete transfer of outer shell electrons. Metal atoms have a small number of electrons in their highest energy level and lose them to achieve a stable, full outer shell, forming positively charged ions (cations). For example, a sodium atom loses its single outer electron to form a Na⁺ ion. These lost electrons are transferred directly to the outer shell of the non-metal atom, which gains them to complete its own outer shell, forming a negatively charged ion (anion), such as Cl⁻. This electron transfer creates the oppositely charged ions that form an ionic lattice. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that metals lose electrons from their outer shell when reacting with non-metals. State that non-metals gain the electrons transferred from the metal atoms. Explain that the loss of electrons results in the formation of positive ions. Explain that the gain of electrons results in the formation of negative ions. A common slip: Writing ionic charges incorrectly, such as Na+ or Cl-. Instead, use superscript signs for ionic charges, such as Na⁺ and Cl⁻. Exam tip: Use dot and cross diagrams to clearly show the movement of electrons from the metal's outer shell to the non-metal's outer shell.
See it
Key words
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Ionic bonding
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Electron transfer
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Ion formation
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Full outer shells
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See every definition
- Ionic bonding
- Occurs when a metal reacts with a non-metal, resulting in the complete transfer of outer shell electrons.
- Electron transfer
- Electrons in the outer shell of the metal atom are transferred to the non-metal atom when they react.
- Ion formation
- The loss of electrons results in positive ions, and the gain of electrons results in negative ions.
- Full outer shells
- Electron transfer allows both atoms to achieve a full outer electron shell.
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