Ionic bonding
When metals react with non-metals, Subatomic particle, with a negative charge and a negligible mass relative to protons and neutrons. are transferred from the metal atoms to the non-metal atoms, forming ions. The resulting compound is called an ionic compound.
Reactions between metals and non-metals include:
- sodium + chlorine → sodium chloride
- magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide
- calcium + chlorine → calcium chloride
- lithium + oxygen → lithium oxide
In all of these reactions, the metal atoms give electrons to the non-metal atoms. The metal atoms become positive ions and the non-metal atoms become negative ions.
There is a strong A force of attraction between particles with opposite charges. force of attraction between these oppositely charged ions – this is called an ionic bond.
The slideshow shows ionic bonds being formed in sodium chloride, magnesium oxide, calcium chloride and lithium chloride.
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