S2.1Structure 2 — Models of bonding and structure
The ionic model — IB Chemistry SL Revision Notes & Topical Questions
5 min read 13 parts Lesson 1 of 6 1 quiz
Curriculum Equation Key قوانين الرقم الهيدروجيني والاتزان الأيوني - pH & Acid-Base Equilibrium FormulasFast Exam Solution
pH = -log[H⁺] | pOH = -log[OH⁻] | pH + pOH = 14 | [H⁺][OH⁻] = 10⁻¹⁴
Word Equation & Conditions: الرقم الهيدروجيني = -لوغاريتم تركيز أيون الهيدروجين | pH + pOH = 14
Location & Specifications: الاتزان الأيوني، كيمياء 3 ثانوي، التحصيلي، و AP Chemistry.
Lesson summary
S2.1 The ionic model — IB CHEMISTRY SL notes: Explain how ions form, deduce ionic formulae and names, and explain the structure and properties of ionic lattices.Electron transfer — ionic bonding involves the transfer of electrons from a metal to a non-metal, usually giving both a…
- Noble-gas configuration
- Transition metals
- Variable charges
- Non-metal cations
- Definition
- Neutrality
Part 1 of 11Forming ions
Forming ions
Electron transfer
- Electron transfer ionic bonding involves the transfer of electrons from a metal to a non-metal, usually giving both a full outer shell.
Cations
- Cations metals lose valence electrons to form positive ions.
Anions
- Anions non-metals gain electrons to form negative ions.
Noble-gas configuration
- Na+ has the configuration of neon [2,8] and Cl− that of argon [2,8,8].
Transition metals
- Transition metals form ions of different charges, such as Fe2+ and Fe3+, and Cu+ and Cu2+.
Bond type
- Bond type ionic bonding forms when the electronegativity difference is large, typically metal plus non-metal.
Part 2 of 11Charges of simple ions
| Group | Charge | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | +1 | Na+ |
| 2 | +2 | Mg2+ |
| 13 | +3 | Al3+ |
| 15 | −3 | N3− |
| 16 | −2 | O2− |
| 17 | −1 | Br− |
Variable charges
- Variable charges transition metal charges are shown by Roman numerals (Stock notation), e.g. copper(II) oxide contains Cu2+.
Non-metal cations
- NH4+ and H+ are positive ions of non-metals.
Part 3 of 11Polyatomic ions
- Definition
- ions made of more than one type of atom.
| Ion | Formula |
|---|---|
| Ammonium | NH4+ |
| Hydroxide | OH− |
| Nitrate | NO3− |
| Hydrogencarbonate | HCO3− |
| Carbonate | CO32− |
| Sulfate | SO42− |
| Phosphate | PO43− |
Part 4 of 11Formulae and names of ionic compounds
- Neutrality
- the total positive charge equals the total negative charge, so the compound has zero overall charge.
1
Identify the cation and the anion.
2
Deduce each charge from the group, the Roman numeral or the polyatomic ion list.
3
Balance the charges using the simplest ratio.
4
Write the cation first, with brackets around any polyatomic ion needed more than once, e.g. Ca(OH)2 and (NH4)2SO4.
Naming
- Naming cation first, then the anion, with the suffix –ide for simple anions, e.g. lithium sulfide, calcium nitride and sodium hydride.
Formula unit
- Formula unit an ionic formula is the empirical formula because ionic compounds form giant lattices, not molecules.
Part 5 of 11The ionic bond and lattice
Ionic bond
Ionic bond the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
Lattice
- Lattice a giant, regular, repeating three-dimensional arrangement of alternating cations and anions that is electrically neutral.
Non-directional bonding
- Non-directional bonding each ion attracts all neighbouring ions of opposite charge in every direction.
Coordination number
- Coordination number in NaCl each Na+ is surrounded octahedrally by 6 Cl− and vice versa.
Part 6 of 11Lattice enthalpy
Definition
Definition the enthalpy change when one mole of a solid ionic compound is separated into its gaseous ions, e.g. NaCl(s) → Na+(g) + Cl−(g), ΔH = +790 kJ mol−1.
Sign
- Sign always endothermic and positive, because energy is needed to separate the ions.
Trend
- Trend it increases with larger ionic charges and smaller ionic radii, which give greater charge density and stronger attraction.
Order
- MgO > NaCl > KBr.
Cations
- Cations are smaller than their parent atoms because the outer shell is lost and the same nuclear charge attracts fewer electrons.
Anions
- Anions are larger than their parent atoms because extra electrons increase repulsion.
Part 7 of 11Physical properties of ionic compounds
| Property | Behaviour | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Melting and boiling point | High | Many strong electrostatic attractions act in all directions; MgO melts at about 2850 °C and NaCl at about 801 °C |
| Volatility | Low | Strong ionic bonding; negligible vapour pressure at room temperature |
| Conductivity as solid | None | Ions are fixed in the lattice |
| Conductivity molten or aqueous | Conducts | Ions are free to move and carry charge; electrons do not move |
| Brittleness | Brittle | A shifted layer brings like charges together and repulsion splits the crystal |
| Solubility | Usually soluble in water, insoluble in non-polar solvents | Ion-dipole attractions with water release energy to separate ions |
Part 8 of 11Dissolving an ionic solid in water
1
Water molecules approach the surface of the lattice.
2
The δ− oxygen atoms attract cations and the δ+ hydrogen atoms attract anions.
3
Ion-dipole attractions release energy that helps overcome the lattice.
4
Ions are pulled out and become surrounded (hydrated) by water.
5
The mobile hydrated ions allow the solution to conduct electricity.
Part 9 of 11Comparing structure types
| Structure | Particles | Melting point | Conductivity | Solubility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant ionic | Ions | High | Only molten or aqueous | Generally soluble |
| Giant metallic | Positive ions in a sea of electrons | Moderately high to high | Solid and liquid | Insoluble |
| Simple covalent | Small molecules | Low | None | Usually insoluble unless polar |
| Giant covalent | Atoms | Very high | None (except graphite) | Insoluble |
Part 10 of 11Bonding continuum
Bonding continuum
Idea
- Idea no compound is 100% ionic, so bonding is described on a continuum.
Bonding triangle
- Bonding triangle places compounds using average electronegativity and electronegativity difference to classify ionic, covalent and metallic character.
Electronegativity difference
- Electronegativity difference a large difference indicates predominantly ionic bonding.
- (roughly above 1.8)
Part 11 of 11More from the specification
1Enthalpy changes of covalent bonds
- Enthalpy changes of covalent bonds endothermic bond cleavage absorbs energy whereas exothermic formation of new covalent bonds releases energy.
2Formation of binary ionic compounds
- Formed when metallic elements transfer valence electrons to non-metallic elements like chlorine, producing cations and anions.
3Omnidirectional electrostatic forces
- Strong electrostatic attractions act equally in all three dimensions between oppositely charged ions in the crystal lattice.
4Sodium chloride lattice model
- Each Na+ ion is octahedrally coordinated by six surrounding Cl− ions in a face-centred cubic giant ionic lattice.
5Physical properties of ionic solids
- High melting points, brittle cleavage along planes, and electrical conduction only when molten or dissolved in water.
6Chloride
- Salt of hydrochloric acid.
7Element
- A substance made of only one type of atom.
8Electrostatic force
- Force of attraction between opposite charges.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ion | An atom or group of atoms with an overall charge from losing or gaining electrons. |
| Ionic bond | The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. |
| Ionic lattice | A giant regular arrangement of alternating cations and anions. |
| Polyatomic ion | A charged species of two or more covalently bonded atoms. |
| Lattice enthalpy | The enthalpy change when one mole of a solid ionic compound separates into gaseous ions. |
| Coordination number | The number of nearest oppositely charged ions around a given ion. |
| Electronegativity | The ability of an atom to attract a shared pair of electrons in a bond. |
Avoid these mistakes
1
Saying ionic compounds consist of molecules — they are giant lattices with formula units.
2
Saying solid ionic compounds conduct because electrons move — only mobile ions conduct, and only when molten or aqueous.
3
Forgetting brackets around a polyatomic ion — the formula is Ca(NO3)2, not CaNO32.
4
Treating lattice enthalpy as exothermic — as defined here it is endothermic and positive.
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