🎯 Common Question Types:
- Draw dot-cross diagram for NaCl, MgO or MgCl₂ (2-4 marks)
- Explain what ionic bonding is (2-3 marks)
- State the charge on ions of named elements (1 mark each)
- Write the formula of an ionic compound from its ions
📝 Key Command Words:
- State/Name: One-word or short phrase answer
- Explain: Give the mechanism — transfer, ions form, electrostatic attraction
- Draw: Dot-cross diagram with brackets and charges
- Compare: State both ionic AND covalent features side by side
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Saying electrons are "shared" in ionic bonding — they are TRANSFERRED
- Forgetting square brackets and charges on dot-cross diagrams
- Saying "the bond is the electrons" — the bond IS the electrostatic attraction
- Showing inner electron shells in dot-cross diagrams — outer shell only!
- Getting charges wrong: remember metals are positive, non-metals are negative
This exam tips covers Exam Tips for Ionic Bonding within Ionic Bonding for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Ionic Bonding in Bonding & Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 35 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 14 of 16 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Practice questions for Ionic Bonding
Which combination of elements forms an ionic compound?
Describe the structure of an ionic compound and explain why ionic compounds have high melting points. [3 marks]
Quick recall flashcards
What is an anion?
A negative ion (formed when non-metals gain electrons)
What is a cation?
A positive ion (formed when metals lose electrons)