Explain why ionic compounds are formed when a metal from the left side of the periodic table reacts with a nonmetal from the right side. Give two examples of such compounds
Ionic compounds are formed when a metal from the left side of the periodic table reacts with a nonmetal from the right side due to the transfer of electrons between the atoms involved.
In the periodic table, metals are located on the left side, while nonmetals are found on the right side. Metals tend to have few valence electrons, while nonmetals have a greater number of valence electrons.
When a metal reacts with a nonmetal, the metal atom tends to lose valence electrons and form a positively charged ion or cation. This electron loss results in the formation of a stable electron configuration in the inner energy levels. On the other hand, the nonmetal atom tends to gain electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, forming a negatively charged ion or anion.
These oppositely charged ions are then attracted to each other through electrostatic forces, leading to the formation of ionic compounds. The attraction between the positive and negative charges allows them to come together and form a crystal lattice structure.
Here are two examples of ionic compounds:
1. Sodium chloride (NaCl): Sodium (Na) is a metal found on the left side of the periodic table, while chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal found on the right side. Sodium readily donates its valence electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, becoming a positively charged sodium ion (Na+). Chlorine accepts this electron and becomes a negatively charged chloride ion (Cl-). The strong attraction between the Na+ and Cl- ions results in the formation of an ionic compound, which is the common table salt we use.
2. Magnesium oxide (MgO): Magnesium (Mg) is a metal, and oxygen (O) is a nonmetal. Magnesium loses two valence electrons to form a magnesium ion (Mg2+), while oxygen accepts these electrons to become an oxide ion (O2-). This leads to the formation of the ionic compound magnesium oxide.
To summarize, when a metal from the left side of the periodic table reacts with a nonmetal from the right side, the metal loses electrons to form a cation, while the nonmetal gains these electrons to form an anion. The resulting attraction between these ions forms an ionic compound.