Ionic Bonding Puzzle Lab
In this activity you will create models of ionic compounds and identify the chemical
formula of the molecules you have created.
Procedures
1. Cut the ion models apart carefully.
2. Lay all of them out on the table according to the group number they belong
to on the periodic table.
3. Notice the shape and charge of each ion model in each group.
Think about why some have “outies” and some have “innies”.
4. What happens when you put any +1 and -1 ion model together?
It shows a balanced ionic molecule by creating a perfect rectangle.
5. Look at #1 on the data sheet. Pull one of each ion model for the elements
listed.
6. In the first box, write the metal ion name from the model, then write the
non-metal ion name under it.
7. Write the ion symbol and charge from each of the models in the second box.
8. Write out only the charge of each ion with a + or – sign in front of the
number in the 3rd box.
9. Fit the ion model pieces together. If they do not make a perfect rectangle,
then add another piece with the same names until you get a perfect
rectangle.
10. In the 4th box, calculate how many of each ion is needed to balance the
molecule out to a zero charge. (How many of each made a perfect
rectangle?)
11. In the last box, write out the chemical formula for the molecule using
symbols and subscripts.
12. Repeat steps 5-11 to finish the data sheet for all ionic bonds.
Al+3
Aluminum
Al+3
Aluminum
F-1
Fluoride
Na+1
Sodium
F-1
Fluoride
K+1
Potassium
F-1
Fluoride
K+1
Potassium
Cl-1
Chloride
K+1
Potassium
Cl-1
Chloride
N-3
Nitride
P-3
Phosphide
Ca+2
Calcium
Cl-1
Chloride
Br-1
Bromide
Ca+2
Calcium
Ca+2
Copper
P-3
Phosphide
Na+1
Sodium
O-2
Oxide
Mg+2
Magnesium
Li+1
Lithium
S-2
Sulfide
I-1
Iodide
Ti+4
Titanium (IV)
O-2
Oxide
Na+1
Sodium
O-2
Oxide
Na+1
Sodium
I-1
Iodide
Ionic Bonding Activity
Data Sheet
1. Sodium and Chlorine
Ion Name
Ion Symbol
Charge?
How Many
Needed?
Chemical Formula
Ion Symbol
Charge?
How Many
Ions?
Chemical Formula
Ion Symbol
Charge?
How Many
Ions?
Chemical Formula
Ion Symbol
Charge?
How Many
Ions?
Chemical Formula
Ion Symbol
Charge?
How Many
Ions?
Chemical Formula
2. Calcium and Chlorine
Ion Name
3. Magnesium and Oxygen
Ion Name
4. Sodium and Fluorine
Ion Name
5. Aluminum and Nitrogen
Ion Name
6. Potassium and Phosphorus
Ion Symbol
Charge?
How Many
Ions?
Chemical Formula
Ion Symbol
Charge?
How Many
Ions?
Chemical Formula
Ion Name
Ion Symbol
Charge?
How Many
Ions?
Chemical Formula
Ion Name
Ion Symbol
Charge?
How Many
Ions?
Chemical Formula
Ion Name
Ion Symbol
Charge?
How Many
Ions?
Chemical Formula
Ion Name
7. Aluminum and Oxygen
Ion Name
8. Calcium and Phosphorus
9. ??
10. ??