General chemistryLesson 1 of 1 in the course Atoms, Molecules, and Ions

Ion Formation, Ionic Formulas, and Molecular Compound Properties

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Chemical reactions usually leave atomic nuclei unchanged, so the identity of each element remains the same. What can change is how atoms handle their electrons: atoms may lose, gain, or share electrons. This lesson focuses on ion formation and how the periodic table helps predict common ion charges.

An ion is an electrically charged particle formed when an atom or group of atoms gains or loses electrons. The number of protons determines the element and does not change during ordinary chemical reactions. Because electrons carry negative charge, losing electrons produces a positive ion, while gaining electrons produces a negative ion.

All flashcards

Ionic bond
The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
Polyatomic ion
A charged group of two or more bonded atoms that acts as a unit.
Oxyanion naming pattern
Within a related series, -ate has more oxygen atoms than -ite.
Molecular compound
A compound made of discrete, electrically neutral molecules.
Why solid ionic compounds do not conduct electricity
Their ions are fixed in place and cannot move freely.

Quiz questions

  1. What characterizes a covalent bond?Answer: Atoms share electron pairs attracted to the bonded nuclei.
  2. What is the formula for a neutral compound formed from aluminum ions, Al3+\mathrm{Al^{3+}}, and oxide ions, O2−\mathrm{O^{2-}}?Answer: Al2O3\mathrm{Al_2O_3}
  3. Why can molten ionic compounds conduct electricity?Answer: Their ions are mobile and can carry charge through the liquid.
  4. How is CHCl3\mathrm{CHCl_3} classified using the element types in its formula?Answer: A molecular compound, because all its elements are nonmetals.
  5. What is the formula for calcium dihydrogen phosphate, formed from Ca2+\mathrm{Ca^{2+}} and H2PO4−\mathrm{H_2PO_4^-}?Answer: Ca(H2PO4)2\mathrm{Ca(H_2PO_4)_2}

Based on Chemistry 2e by Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley, William R. Robinson, PhD (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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