Name:____________________________________________ Date: ____________ Period:____________
Building Ionic Bonds
Background
In an ionic bond, electrons are transferred from one atom to another. The atoms become ions, or charged
particles. Each element (that is not a transition metal) has a specific ion that it will always form. Recall from the
“Forces that Hold an Atom Together” activity that oppositely charged particles attract one another and thus
form a compound.
Ionic compounds always contain one metal element and one nonmetal element. The number of atoms of each
element in a compound is determined by the number of electrons transferred between the atoms
(remember…valence electrons!). The name of the compound is always as follows: metal element first, followed
by the nonmetal element with its ending changed to –ide. For example, a compound of sodium and chlorine
would be sodium chloride.
1. Explain how an ionic bond forms between two or more atoms in your own words.
2. What types of elements must be found in every ionic compound?
Goal: To be able to visualize the formation of ionic bonds.
Procedure
You will be given several pairs of metal and nonmetal elements. Determine how atoms of those elements
would bond to form a neutral compound. Use your periodic table to determine the number of valence electrons
for each atom.
Follow the example below. You do not need to draw all the electrons— draw a Lewis Dot Diagram to show the
valence level electrons only. Show the electrons being transferred. Draw all atoms needed to make a neutral
compound.
Example
Magnesium and Chlorine
Cl
Mg
Cl
Forms MgCl2 – Magnesium Chloride
Modeling Workshop Summer 2007
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING IONIC BONDS!
1. Sodium and Fluorine—a clear-white solid, this compound is an ingredient in toothpaste meant to
prevent cavities.
2. Lithium and Sulfur—a yellow, orange, or white compound that recently found use in rechargeable
batteries.
3. Magnesium and Fluorine—a white crystalline salt that is frequently used as an anti-reflective coating on
optical equipment.
4. Beryllium and Oxygen—a compound used as a raw material in ceramics. As a powder, it is very toxic
and can cause respiratory disease.
5. Aluminum and Nitrogen—a bluish-white crystalline solid that has microelectronic uses. It is expensive
to produce and is mainly used in military aeronautics.
6. Aluminum and Chlorine—a pale, yellow solid used in the process of manufacturing detergents.
7. Aluminum and Sulfur—a whitish material used in mining and ceramics.
8. Calcium and Phosphorus—a red-brown crystalline powder used in fireworks, torpedoes, self-igniting
naval pyrotechnic flares, and various water-activated ammunition.
9. Lithium and Nitrogen—a compound that reacts violently with water to produce ammonia.
Modeling Workshop Summer 2007