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GOB Chemistry: Ions and Ionic Compounds

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  • What is an ion?
    An ion is an atom carrying a charge, either positive (cation) or negative (anion), formed by gaining or losing electrons.
  • What is a cation?
    A cation is a positively charged ion formed when an atom loses electrons.
  • What is an anion?
    An anion is a negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains electrons.
  • What is the Octet Rule?
    Atoms tend to gain or lose electrons to have 8 valence electrons, achieving the stable electron configuration of a noble gas.
  • Which elements are exceptions to the Octet Rule and why?
    H, He, Li, and Be are exceptions because their full shell consists of only 2 electrons (1s2 configuration).
  • What charge do group 7 elements typically form and why?
    Group 7 elements have 7 valence electrons and typically gain 1 electron to form ions with a charge of -1.
  • What charge do group 6 elements typically form?
    Group 6 elements have 6 valence electrons and typically gain 2 electrons to form ions with a charge of -2.
  • What charge do group 5 elements typically form?
    Group 5 elements have 5 valence electrons and typically gain 3 electrons to form ions with a charge of -3.
  • What charge do group 1 elements typically form and why?
    Group 1 elements have 1 valence electron and typically lose 1 electron to form ions with a charge of +1.
  • What charge do group 2 elements typically form?
    Group 2 elements have 2 valence electrons and typically lose 2 electrons to form ions with a charge of +2.
  • Why do group 4 elements usually not form ions?
    Group 4 elements have 4 valence electrons and would need to gain or lose 4 electrons, which is energetically unfavorable.
  • How do transition metal ions differ from main group ions?
    Transition metals can form multiple ion charges and do not follow a simple pattern like main group elements.
  • What charge does silver (Ag) typically form?
    Silver typically forms a +1 ion.
  • What charge does zinc (Zn) typically form?
    Zinc typically forms a +2 ion.
  • Give examples of multiple charges formed by iron (Fe).
    Iron can form Fe+1, Fe+2, and Fe+3 ions depending on conditions.
  • What are polyatomic ions?
    Polyatomic ions are clusters of atoms bonded together that carry an overall charge.
  • How should polyatomic ions be treated when forming ionic compounds?
    Polyatomic ions are treated like single ions with a charge when forming ionic compounds.
  • Name the hydronium ion and its charge.
    Hydronium ion is H3O+ with a charge of +1.
  • Name the ammonium ion and its charge.
    Ammonium ion is NH4+ with a charge of +1.
  • What is the formula and charge of the sulfate ion?
    Sulfate ion is SO42- with a charge of -2.
  • What is the formula and charge of the nitrate ion?
    Nitrate ion is NO3- with a charge of -1.
  • What is the formula and charge of the phosphate ion?
    Phosphate ion is PO43- with a charge of -3.
  • What is the formula and charge of the hydroxide ion?
    Hydroxide ion is OH- with a charge of -1.
  • What is the formula and charge of the carbonate ion?
    Carbonate ion is CO32- with a charge of -2.