Name: ______________________
Assigned on October 23, 2015
Lab: Ionic Bonding Puzzle
Due on October 27, 2015
Chemical Bonding Unit
Introduction
When metals and non-metals 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, since they tend to donate
electrons Non-metals will form anions or negative ions, since they tend to accept electrons.
Activity
In this activity you will create models of ionic compounds and observe the chemical formula of the binary molecules
you have created. Your data will be recorded in a data table or chart, similar to the one below.
Cation name
Anion name
Chemical Formula
Name
Prelab
Fill in the blanks in the following sentences.
1. Metals ___________ electrons and become positive ions which are called ______________.
2. Non-metals __________ electrons and become negative ions which are called _____________.
3. Draw a picture to the right of the arrow after the substance loses or gains 1 electron according to what you stated
above. An electron is represented by the triangle.
neutral atom
ion
e-
metal

non-metal

4. Using the same analogy for the atom, what would a 2+ cation and a 2- anion look like? Draw your predictions
below.
Bonding and Predicting Chemical Formulas
Al2O3
subscripts
In order for an ionic compound to form, the charges must balance so that the compound is neutral. There must be an
equal amount of positive and negative charge. Subscripts show the ratio of each atom in the compound needed to
balance the charge in the compound.
In what ratio will the 1+ and 1- ions combine to balance the charge? Draw the combination to the right of the arrow.
1+
+
1-

What ratio do the +2 and -1 ions need to combine to balance the charge? Draw your result to the right of the arrow.
2+
+

1-
Data Table
Cation name
Anion name
Chemical Formula
Name
Conclusion Questions
1. Notice the shape and charge of each cation model. Why do you think there are slots in the metal atoms? (TIP:
How do the atoms become ions?)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Notice the shape and charge of the anion models. Why do you think there are tabs in the non-metal atoms?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. If you were to make a neutral atom following the model, what would the shape be? Draw an example below.
4. Group the ion models by family. What do you notice about the number of tabs or slots? What do you notice about
the tabs or slots and charge of all ions? Is there a pattern? Why do you think the model is made that way?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What do you notice about the names of the cations and anions on the cards? How do they compare with the name
of the neutral atom or element? Specifically, do the non-metals have anything in common about their name?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
F1fluoride
Na1+
sodium
Mg2+
magnesium
Al3+
aluminum
F1fluoride
K1+
potassium
Cl1chloride
K1+
potassium
N3nitride
Mg2+
magnesium
Cl1chloride
Al3+
aluminum
K1+
potassium
P3phosphide
Br-1bromide
Ca2+
calcium
Br1bromide
Cs1+
cesium
1+ cation
wildcard
1- anion
wildcard
Ba2+
barium
Li1+
lithium
2+ cation
wildcard
3- anion
wildcard
S2sulfide
Ca2+
calcium
1+ cation
wildcard
O2oxide
Ca2+
calcium
Li1+
lithium
I1iodide
Pb4+
lead
Ba2+
barium
O2Oxide
2- anion
wildcard
Na1+
sodium
I1Iodide
Al3+
aluminum