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Ionic bonding is a chemical bond formed by the transfer of electrons between atoms, creating charged ions. Metals lose electrons to become cations, while non-metals gain electrons to become anions. The resulting electrostatic attraction constitutes the ionic bond. Ionic compounds are known for their crystalline structures, high melting and boiling points, and ability to conduct electricity when dissolved or melted. The lattice structure of these compounds is determined by the ions' sizes and charges, with the strength of the bonds measured by lattice energy. Ionic bonds can also exhibit covalent characteristics, affecting the compound's properties.
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Ionic bonding occurs when one atom transfers electrons to another, resulting in the formation of charged ions
Cations
Metals tend to lose electrons and form positively charged ions called cations
Anions
Non-metals tend to gain electrons and form negatively charged ions called anions
The resulting attraction between oppositely charged ions is the ionic bond
Ionic bonds have high bond energies, making them difficult to break
Ionic compounds form a crystal lattice, maximizing electrostatic interactions between ions
Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points due to the strong bonds between ions
Ionic compounds can conduct electricity when dissolved in water or melted due to the free movement of ions
Many ionic compounds are soluble in water, making them important in biological systems and industrial applications
Ionic bonds form when one atom loses electrons to become a positively charged ion, while another atom gains those electrons to become a negatively charged ion
Ionic bonds typically occur between atoms with a large difference in electronegativity
The energy released during electron transfer contributes to the stability of the resulting ionic bond
The size and charge of ions in an ionic compound determine the arrangement of ions in a crystal lattice
The ions arrange themselves in a way that balances attractive and repulsive forces, resulting in a stable, neutral structure
The ratio of cations to anions in an ionic compound is determined by its stoichiometry
The energy required to separate ions in a solid into gaseous ions is a measure of the strength of the ionic bonds in the lattice
Ionic bonds can exhibit some degree of covalent character, particularly when the electron cloud of the anion overlaps with the cation
When the ionic bond has significant covalent character, it is described as having polar covalent bonding
The degree of ionic versus covalent character in a bond can affect the properties of the compound, such as its solubility and melting point
Polarization can occur when a highly charged cation distorts the electron cloud of a larger anion, resulting in a degree of covalent character in the bond
The phenomenon of polarization is described by Fajans' rules
Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms and are directional, with molecular shapes determined by VSEPR theory
Most compounds exhibit characteristics of both ionic and covalent bonding to varying degrees, reflecting the complex nature of chemical bonding