What is ionic bonding?

Ionic bonding occurs between positive and negatively charged ions. A simple example is Sodium Chloride. Sodium has 1 outer shell electron which it wants to lose in order to create a stable electronic configuration (full outer shell). Chlorine has 7 outer shell electrons so it wants to gain one more in order to form a stable electronic configuration.
So if sodium loses one electron and gives it to chlorine this solves the problem. Sodium loses one negatively charged electron and becomes positively charged (1+) whilst chlorine gains one negatively charged electron and becomes negatively charged (1-)
The oppositely charged ions attract and an ionic bond is formed.

EN

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Define a hydrocarbon and explain the difference between alkenes and alkanes.


Why can graphite conduct electricity?


What is Le Chatelier's Principle?


Explain the electronic configuration of Sodium (Na) and how this relates to its position in the periodic table.