Bonding & StructureTopic Summary

Topic Summary: Ionic Bonding

Part of Ionic BondingGCSE Chemistry

This topic summary covers Topic Summary: Ionic Bonding within Ionic Bonding for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Ionic Bonding in Bonding & Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 27 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 13 of 13 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 13 of 13

Practice

27 questions

Recall

20 flashcards

Topic Summary: Ionic Bonding

Key Terms
  • Ionic bond: electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions
  • Cation (+): metal loses electrons
  • Anion (-): non-metal gains electrons
  • Electron transfer: electrons move from metal to non-metal
  • Electrostatic attraction: force between opposite charges
Must-Know Facts
  • Ionic bonding occurs between metals and non-metals
  • Metals LOSE electrons → positive ions (cations)
  • Non-metals GAIN electrons → negative ions (anions)
  • Both ions achieve noble gas electron configuration
  • Group 1 → +1, Group 2 → +2, Group 6 → -2, Group 7 → -1
  • Dot-cross: outer shell only, brackets, charge outside

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Ionic Bonding. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Ionic Bonding

Which combination of elements forms an ionic compound?

  • A. Sodium and chlorine
  • B. Carbon and hydrogen
  • C. Nitrogen and oxygen
  • D. Carbon and oxygen
1 markfoundation

Describe the structure of an ionic compound and explain why ionic compounds have high melting points. [3 marks]

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is a cation?
A positive ion (formed when metals lose electrons)
What is an anion?
A negative ion (formed when non-metals gain electrons)

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