Stable Noble Gas Structure (Group 0)

Noble gases are unreactive (inert) and do not form compounds because they have the duplet (example - helium) or octet configuration (example - neon).

Ion
An ion is a charged particle. In an ion, the number of protons is different from the number of electrons. For example, a sodium ion, Na+, consists of 11 protons and 10 electrons. A chloride ion, CI-, consists of 17 protons and 18 electrons. An atom forms an ion in order to achieve a noble gas structure. Metals form positively charged ions (cations). Example: Na+, Li+, Mg2+ Non-metals usually form negatively charged ions (anions). Example: Cl-, F-, I-

*Ionic bonding Key points

- Metals react with non-metals to form ionic compounds. - Each ion in an ionic compound has the electronic configuration of a noble gas. - An ionic bond is defined as the electrostatic force of attraction between a positive ion and a negative ion. - An ionic bond is formed when electron/s are transferred from a metallic atom to a nonmetallic atom. - In ionic compound, the total positive charge is equal to the total negative charge.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------When metals react with non-metals, an ionic compound is formed. For example, sodium reacts with chlorine to form an ionic compound called sodium chloride.

Step 1. The formation of positive ions

Each sodium atom loses it single valence electron to form a positively charged sodium atom to obtain a stable electronic configuration.

Na Na+ + e(2.8.1) (2.8) Step 2. The formation of negative ions

Each chlorine atom gains an electron from a sodium atom to form a negatively charged chloride ion to obtain a stable electronic configuration.

Cl + e- Cl(2.8.7) (2.8.8) Step 3. The formation of ionic bonds

Positive sodium ions and negative chloride ions are attracted to one another by electrostatic attraction to form sodium chloride.

Na+ + Cl- NaCl

The electrostatic forces of attraction that holds the sodium ions and chloride ions together are called ionic bonds. We use dot and cross diagram to show ionic bonding.

* Na CI Sodium atom (2.8.1) Chlorine atom (2.8.7) Sodium ion (2.8) Na

+
CI Chloride ion (2.8.8)

Structure of Ionic Compound

Ionic compound form giant ionic structures. An example is sodium chloride. The sodium ions and chloride ions are very strongly attracted to one another. They are arranged in a giant lattice structure or crystal lattice.

*Physical Properties of Ionic Compounds 1) Volatility melting and boiling points

The lattice of an ionic compound is held together by strong ionic bonds between the ions. A large amount of energy is needed to overcome these strong bonds and to change an ionic compound fro solid to liquid. As a result, ionic compounds are solids at room temperature and pressure. Ionic compounds are non-volatile substances due to their high melting and boiling points.

2) Solubility
Ionic compounds are usually soluble in water. This is because water molecules can separate the positive ions (cations) from the negative ions (anions), causing them to dissolve. Ionic compounds are insoluble (does not dissolve) in organic solvents. Organic solvents are compounds such as ethanol, petrol and turpentine.

3) Electrical conductivity
Ionic compounds do not conduct in the solid state because the ions are not free to move about. However, when an ionic compound is melted or dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution, it can conduct electricity. This is because the ions are free to move in the molten or in aqueous solution.