AQA · GCSE · Chemistry
Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018
These forces act in all directions in the lattice and this is called ionic…
Full specification wording
Ionic compounds: These forces act in all directions in the lattice and this is called ionic bonding.
Ionic bonding is the strong electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 6
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Ionic bonding is the strong electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. In a giant ionic lattice, each ion is surrounded by ions of opposite charge, and the attractive forces act in all directions rather than along a single line. For example, in sodium chloride, each Na⁺ ion is attracted to six Cl⁻ ions arranged octahedrally, and each Cl⁻ ion is attracted to six Na⁺ ions. There is no discrete molecule; the lattice is a continuous three-dimensional array. The term 'ionic bonding' therefore describes the net effect of many directional attractions, not a shared pair of electrons. This explains why ionic compounds have high melting points and are often soluble in water.
What earns the marks
- Ionic bonding is the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
- In a giant ionic lattice, each ion is surrounded by ions of opposite charge.
- The attractive forces act in all directions, not just between one pair of ions.
- The lattice is a continuous three-dimensional structure with no discrete molecules.
- The strength of the many attractions explains the high melting point of ionic compounds.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Describing ionic bonding as a shared pair of electrons.
Put it right by stating it is the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
Thinking that ionic bonds only act between one pair of ions.
Put it right by explaining that each ion attracts all nearby oppositely charged ions in all directions.
Drawing a single molecule of sodium chloride.
Put it right by representing a giant lattice with each ion surrounded by oppositely charged ions.
Exam tips
- When explaining ionic bonding, always refer to electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
- Use the phrase 'acts in all directions' when describing forces in a giant ionic lattice.
- Link the all-direction attractions to a property such as high melting point to show understanding.
Try the lesson
The start of the Ionic compounds: These forces act in all directions in the lattice and this is called ionic bonding. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In a giant ionic lattice, the electrostatic forces of attraction act in which directions?
Listen
Ionic bonding is the strong electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. In a giant ionic lattice, each ion is surrounded by ions of opposite charge, and the attractive forces act in all directions rather than along a single line. For example, in sodium chloride, each Na⁺ ion is attracted to six Cl⁻ ions arranged octahedrally, and each Cl⁻ ion is attracted to six Na⁺ ions. There is no discrete molecule; the lattice is a continuous three-dimensional array. The term 'ionic bonding' therefore describes the net effect of many directional attractions, not a shared pair of electrons. This explains why ionic compounds have high melting points and are often soluble in water. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Ionic bonding is the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. In a giant ionic lattice, each ion is surrounded by ions of opposite charge. The attractive forces act in all directions, not just between one pair of ions. The lattice is a continuous three-dimensional structure with no discrete molecules. A common slip: Describing ionic bonding as a shared pair of electrons. Instead, stating it is the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. Exam tip: When explaining ionic bonding, always refer to electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
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Key words
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Electrostatic attraction
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Giant ionic lattice
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Oppositely charged ions
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See every definition
- Electrostatic attraction
- The strong force between oppositely charged ions, which is what ionic bonding is.
- Giant ionic lattice
- An arrangement in which each ion is surrounded by ions of opposite charge, with attractive forces acting in all directions.
- Oppositely charged ions
- The particles between which ionic bonding is the electrostatic attraction.
Label the diagram
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