Physical Science CP – Ionic Bonding Puzzle Activity Name:
Objective: Students will be able to write and name the chemical formula of ionic compounds by modeling ionic compounds.
Introduction: When metals and nonmetals chemically react, the atoms will tend to form ions, or charged atoms. Ions form because electrons are either gained or lost. Metals will generally form cations , or positive ions. Nonmetals will form anions , or negative ions. For an ionic bond, the overall charge of the compound is neutral , or zero.
Activity: You will work with a partner to create models of ionic compounds and write the chemical formula of the ionic compounds you have created.
Writing Chemical Formulas
Step 1: Write the symbols of the elements- metal first and non-metal second
Step 2: Write the charge each element forms as an ion above the element
Step 3: Write a subscript next to each one to explains how many shapes of each element there are in the situation
*Remember: Ones are invisible!
Example: Lithium + Iodine
Step 1: Li I
Step 2: Li +1 I -1
Li +1 I -1
Example: Hydrogen + Oxygen
Step 1: H O
Step 2: H +1
H +1
O +2
O -2
H +1
Step 3: Li
1
I
1
 LiI Step 3: H
2
O
I
 H
2
O

Directions: Using your ionic bonding pieces, create each bond listed on the following pages. The shape of each ion shows you the number of electrons it will gain or lose to from a bond. After fitting the pieces together, sketch the pieces and fill in the table with information about the ions forming the bond.
Example: sodium and chlorine
Sketch:
H +1 Cl -1
Ion Name Ion Symbol Dot
Diagram
Anion/Cation How Many? Chemical
Formula sodium chloride
Na +1
Cl -1
Na
Cl cation anion
1
1
NaCl
1: potassium and bromine
Sketch:
Ion Name Ion Symbol Dot
Diagram
Anion/Cation How Many? Chemical Formula

2: potassium and chlorine
Sketch:
Ion Name Ion Symbol Dot
Diagram
3: sodium and nitrogen
Sketch:
Ion Name Ion Symbol
4: sodium and oxygen
Dot
Diagram
Sketch:
Ion Name Ion Symbol Dot
Diagram
Anion/Cation How Many? Chemical Formula
Anion/Cation How Many? Chemical Formula
Anion/Cation How Many? Chemical Formula

5: potassium and sulfur
Sketch:
Ion Name Ion Symbol
6: beryllium and oxygen
Sketch:
Dot
Diagram
Ion Name Ion Symbol Dot
Diagram
7: calcium and bromine
Sketch:
Ion Name Ion Symbol Dot
Diagram
Anion/Cation How Many? Chemical Formula
Anion/Cation How Many? Chemical Formula
Anion/Cation How Many? Chemical Formula

8: magnesium and oxygen
Sketch:
Ion Name Ion Symbol Dot
Diagram
8: gallium and bromine
Sketch:
Ion Name Ion Symbol
9: aluminum and nitrogen
Dot
Diagram
Sketch:
Ion Name Ion Symbol Dot
Diagram
Anion/Cation How Many? Chemical Formula
Anion/Cation How Many? Chemical Formula
Anion/Cation How Many? Chemical Formula

10: aluminum and sulfur
Sketch:
Ion Name Ion Symbol Dot
Diagram
Anion/Cation How Many? Chemical Formula
11: calcium and nitrogen (You can make any additional ions using the blank pieces)
Sketch:
Ion Name Ion Symbol
12: aluminum and oxygen
Dot
Diagram
Sketch:
Ion Name Ion Symbol Dot
Diagram
Anion/Cation
Anion/Cation
How Many?
How Many?
Chemical Formula
Chemical Formula

Post Activity Questions:
1) Is each compound formed by just one cation or anion?
2) Why do some compounds use more than one cation or anion? Use one example above to help you explain.
3) Does the number of ions change how you write the chemical formula?