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Ionic bonding — Edexcel Linear - OL (Chemistry) Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 11 parts Lesson 6 of 25 1 quiz

📚 Edexcel Linear - OL (Chemistry) Hub / Topical Revision
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Lesson summary

Ionic bonding Edexcel O Level Linear Chemistry notes: understand how ions are formed by electron loss or gainEach lone pair reduces bond angle by about 2.5°.Hydrogen bonding explains high bp of water and low density of ice.σ bonds form by head-on overlap; π bonds by sideways over…

  • Ionic bonding Edexcel O Level Linear Chemistry: what to do next
  • Covalent bond
  • Dative bond
  • Metallic bond
  • Electronegativity
  • van der Waals (id–id)

Part 1 of 6Key ideas

Key ideas
Each lone pair reduces bond angle by about 2.5°.
Hydrogen bonding explains high bp of water and low density of ice.
σ bonds form by head-on overlap; π bonds by sideways overlap of p orbitals.

Part 2 of 6Syllabus points

1
understand how ions are formed by electron loss or gain
2
know the charges of these ions
  • - metals in Groups 1, 2 and 3 - non-metals in Groups 5, 6 and 7 - Ag+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Pb2+, Zn2+ - hydrogen (H+)
  • hydroxide (OH−)
  • ammonium (NH4+)
  • carbonate (CO32−)
  • nitrate (NO3−)
  • sulfate (SO42−)
3
write formulae for compounds formed between the ions listed above
4
draw dot-and-cross diagrams to show the formation of ionic compounds by electron transfer, limited to combinations of elements from Groups 1, 2, 3 and 5, 6, 7 only outer electrons need be shown
5
understand ionic bonding in terms of electrostatic attractions
6
understand why compounds with giant ionic lattices have high melting and boiling points
7
know that ionic compounds do not conduct electricity when solid, but do conduct electricity when molten and in aqueous solution

Part 3 of 6Process & sequence

Structure types
Giant ionic NaCl – high mp, conducts molten
Simple molecular I₂ – low mp
Giant covalent diamond, SiO₂ – very high mp
Giant metallic Cu – conducts, malleable
  • Lone pair–lone pair
  • >
  • lone pair–bond pair
  • >
  • bond pair–bond pair

Part 4 of 6Summary

Summary
Water has a bond angle of 104.5°.
Hydrogen bonds form with N, O or F.

Part 5 of 6Keep going

Ionic bonding Edexcel O Level Linear Chemistry: what to do next

These Ionic bonding Edexcel O Level Linear Chemistry notes covered the key ideas, worked examples and exam technique for this topic. Check your Ionic bonding Edexcel O Level Linear Chemistry understanding with the practice questions below, then reread any Ionic bonding Edexcel O Level Linear Chemistry point you were unsure about before moving on.

1
Practice: Ionic bonding Edexcel O Level Linear Chemistry practice questions
2
Previous lesson: 1e Chemical formulae, equations and calculations — Notes
3
Next lesson: 1g Covalent bonding — Notes
4
Course: Edexcel Linear – OL (chemistry) — all units
5
Official syllabus: Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs

Ionic bonding Edexcel O Level Linear Chemistry revision notes

Part 6 of 6Compare: Compare

Shapes of molecules (VSEPR)
Bonding pairsLone pairsShapeBond angleExamplePolar?
20Linear180°CO₂No
30Trigonal planar120°BF₃No
40Tetrahedral109.5°CH₄No
31Pyramidal107°NH₃Yes
22Non-linear (bent)104.5°H₂OYes
60Octahedral90°SF₆No

Key terms

Command terms

Command terms
Give / State / Name
Recall a fact; one idea per mark.
Define
Give the exact meaning using the specification keywords.
Describe
Give an account of what happens / the pattern in data, quoting values; no reasons needed.
Explain
Give reasons with linked statements (cause → effect). Each linked step is usually a separate marking point.
Suggest
Use knowledge in a new context; more than one answer may be accepted.
Compare
Similarities and differences; each point must refer to both items.
Calculate
Show working; include units; check significant figures. Method marks are given even if the final answer is wrong.
Discuss
Explore the issue from different angles and link the points.
Evaluate / Assess
Weigh strengths and weaknesses and reach a supported judgement.
Deduce
Draw a conclusion from the information given.
Justify
Support a statement/choice with evidence.

Exam technique

Keywords the mark scheme looks for in this lesson

Keywords the mark scheme looks for in this lesson
Ionic bond · Covalent bond · Dative bond · Metallic bond · Electronegativity · VSEPR · Hydrogen bond · van der Waals (id–id)
Learn each definition in the Key words tab exactly; a missing keyword in a definition usually loses the mark.

How to get full marks (examiner guidance)

How to get full marks (examiner guidance)
Use specification keywords exactly (e.g. electronegativity, nucleophile, dynamic equilibrium, activation energy).
Link ideas
Link ideas for “explain” each marking point is usually a cause → consequence step; unlinked facts often score nothing.
Use the information in the question
“discuss/evaluate” answers must use the data provided and match the number of marks.
Convert units carefully (mg → g, cm³ → dm³) and show working for calculations.
Avoid vague words
“it”, “stuff”, “things”, “goes up”, “energy is made”. Name the substance and the process.
Do not extrapolate a graph line beyond the data or to zero unless asked.
Six-mark extended responses are marked on content AND a logical, linked line of reasoning.

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