Ionic Bonds
A Closer Look
Ionic Bonds

Are formed when atoms lose or gain
electrons (forming ions) to become stable.
 Metals
tend to lose electrons
 Nonmetals tend to gain electrons
 Ionic compounds are formed when metals
and nonmetals react together

Are formed from the electrostatic
attractions of oppositely charged ions.
Ionic Compounds
When ionic bonds form ionic
compounds they produce a repeating
arrangement of the ions into a crystal
structure called a lattice.
 The formula for an ionic compound is
called the formula unit.

 The
formula unit is represented in the
crystal lattice.
 KF (potassium fluoride) is the formula unit
for the solid crystal formed when K+1 ions
and F-1 ions are bonded ionicly

Sketch a simple crystal pattern
Ionic Solids
Ionic solids exist in a lattice (crystal)
structure.
 Ionic compounds can form different kinds
of lattice structures.
 Lattice structures depend on


the number of ions involved
 the charge of the ions involved
 the sizes of the ions.
Lattice Energy
(Bond Energy for Ionic Compounds)

The strength of an ionic bond depends on
the size of the ions and the amount of
charge each ion carries.
 Bigger
ions will have weaker ionic bonds
(lower lattice energy)
 Greater ionic charges will have stronger ionic
bonds. (higher lattice energy)