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  • Electrostatic force of attraction between oppositely charged(cations and anions) ions in a network

  • Consists of a metal and a non-metal combined together

  • Examples

      • Sodium loses an electron and becomes a cation, with the stability of a noble gas
      • Chloride gains an electron, and becomes an anion, with the stability of a noble gas
      • Magnesium loses 2 electrons and becomes a cation, with the stability of a noble gas
      • Chloride gains an electron, and becomes an anion, with the stability of a noble gas
      • Therefore, 2 chlorine ions bond with 1 magnesium ion
  • Ions exist in a 3D, ionic lattice

  • Cannot conduct electricity as a solid

    • Ions are in a fixed lattice
    • Therefore, the ions/electrons are fixed and cannot move
    • Charge cannot be conducted
  • Conducts electricity when liquid/molten/dissolved

    • The ions do not exist in a lattice
    • Therefore, they are free/mobile
    • Charge can be conducted
  • High melting and boiling points

    • Ions are in a fixed lattice
    • Ionic bonds are strong
    • Therefore, the energy required to break up the lattice is large
  • Brittle

    • Ions exist in a lattice
    • When a force is applied, layers of the lattice are displaced
    • Therefore, ions with like charges come close to each other, and repel each other
    • The lattice shatters, and is therefore brittle
  • Often soluble in water

    • Depends on ESF of the lattice
    • If the intermolecular forces of the molecule is greater than the lattice, the lattice is displaced and it dissolves
    • If the lattice’s ESF is greater than the intermolecular forces of the molecule, it is not displaced and is therefore not soluble
  • Lewis Diagrams are known as dot-dot or dot-cross

    Sodium Chloride,

    Magnesium Chloride,

Metallic Bonding

Covalent Bonding