two atoms held together by an ionic bond
An example of two atoms held together by an ionic bond is sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt. Sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) atoms have electronic configurations such that sodium has one electron in its outermost shell and chlorine has seven electrons in its outermost shell. Sodium readily donates its one electron to chlorine to achieve stability, resulting in the formation of Na+ and Cl- ions. The electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions holds them together, forming an ionic bond.
When two atoms are held together by an ionic bond, it means that one atom has donated one or more electrons to another atom. This transfer of electrons creates charged particles called ions, which are attracted to each other due to the opposite charges between them. The atom that loses electrons becomes a positively charged ion, known as a cation, while the atom that gains electrons becomes a negatively charged ion, known as an anion.
Here are the steps involved in the formation of an ionic bond between two atoms:
1. Identify the elements involved: To determine if an ionic bond can be formed, we need to know the elements participating in the reaction. Ionic bonds typically form between a metal and a non-metal.
2. Determine the oxidation state: Find the oxidation state, or charge, of each atom. Metals tend to lose electrons and have a positive charge, while non-metals gain electrons and have a negative charge.
3. Transfer of electrons: The metal atom, with a lower electronegativity, gives up one or more electrons to the non-metal atom with a higher electronegativity. This transfer creates ions with opposite charges.
4. Formation of cations and anions: The metal atom becomes a cation by losing electrons, while the non-metal atom becomes an anion by gaining those electrons.
5. Ionic bond formation: The cation and anion are held together by the strong electrostatic attraction between their opposite charges. This attraction forms the ionic bond.
6. Crystal lattice formation: Multiple cations and anions come together to form a three-dimensional crystal lattice structure, often called an ionic compound.
Overall, the formation of an ionic bond involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the creation of oppositely charged ions that are held together by electrostatic forces.
To understand how two atoms are held together by an ionic bond, we first need to know what an ionic bond is.
An ionic bond is a type of chemical bond that forms between two atoms when there is a large difference in their electronegativities. Electronegativity is a property of an atom that describes its ability to attract electrons towards itself when it participates in a chemical bond.
In an ionic bond, one atom, called the cation, has a significantly lower electronegativity and tends to lose electrons, while the other atom, known as the anion, has a higher electronegativity and tends to gain electrons. The transfer of electrons from one atom to another creates charged particles called ions.
Now, let's look at an example of an ionic bond: Sodium chloride (NaCl).
Sodium (Na) has a low electronegativity, while chlorine (Cl) has a higher electronegativity. When sodium and chlorine atoms come close together, sodium (Na) donates an electron to chlorine (Cl). The transfer of the electron from sodium to chlorine creates an electrical attraction between the positive sodium ion (Na+) and the negative chloride ion (Cl-). This attraction holds the two ions together, forming an ionic bond.
In summary, two atoms are held together by an ionic bond when one atom transfers electrons to the other, creating oppositely charged ions that are attracted to each other.