3.

2- IONIC COMPOUNDS

¤ Ion - an atom or group of atoms that has become electrically charged

¤ Ionic compounds are pure substances that form as a result of the

attraction of positive and negative ions
IONIC COMPOUNDS

» are solids at room temperature

» have defined crystal structure

» conduct electricity when liquid or dissolved in water

» have high melting points

IONIC COMPOUNDS

¤ ions are formed when atoms either lose or gain electrons

METALS
»lose electrons and form positive
ions
»are named by their metal name
followed by the word “ion”
ex) sodium ion, lithium ion
NON-METAL
»gain electrons and form negative
ions
»are named by changing the
ending of the non-metal to “ide”
then followed by the word “ion”
ex) oxide ion, chloride ion
IONS

 Positive ions are called cations

 Negative ions are called anions

IONS

 Ion charge can be found on the periodic table

 FROM ION NAME TO SYMBOL
¤ when writing the symbol for an ion, you write the symbol for the
element then write the charge as a superscript (number first
unless it is 1, then sign)
 ex) sodium ion is Na+
Note: Several metals have
calcium ion is Ca2+
more than one charge
oxide ion is O2- Ex. Copper
Cu+ or Cu2+
nitride ion is N3-
IONIC BONDS

 ionic bonds form when positive and negative ions (charges) attract
each other
+ charge attracts
the  charge
[Na]+ [Cl]

[Na]+ [Cl]

ionic bond
 WRITING FORMULAS

1.Write down the (+) metal ion first with it’s charge.
2.Write down the () non-metal ion second with it’s charge.
3. Keep adding either metal ions or non-metal ions until the positive and negative
charges balance…they must add up to zero

4. Count the number of ions of each element. Put the number as a subscript to
the right of the ion symbol and remove the ion charge.
EXAMPLE: WRITE THE CHEMICAL FORMULA FOR
MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE.

Step 1: Magnesium = Mg2+

Step 2: Chloride = Cl-
Put them together to get Mg2+ Cl-
Step 3: Mg2+ Cl- Cl-
2+ 2-

Step 4: MgCl2
NAMING IONIC COMPOUNDS

 1. Look at the formula and write the name of the metal ion
down first.
 2.Write the name of the non-metal ion next but change the
ending to “ide”.
ex) NaCl
Step 1: sodium
Step 2: chlorine to chloride
Sodium Chloride
 Example: Write the name of CaF2.
Step 1: Step 2:

Answer:
Example: Write the name of Na3N.
Step 1: Step 2:

Answer: