Ionic Substances
- Ions form when the charge imbalance between bonded atoms is so
large that one or more electrons are basically, transferred from one atom
to another.
- When this happens ions are formed (both positively charge and negatively
charged ions).
- If you put a bunch of positively charged and negatively charged ions in
one place the opposite charges tend to attracts strongly to each other forming
clusters of ions containing equal amounts of positive charge and negative
charge, resulting in a neutral substance.
- The cluster of ions formed can be of any size as long as there is an equal
amount of positive and negative charge. For example, a tiny grain of table
salt (NaCl), contains trillions, and trillions of sodium and chlorine ions.
- We don't call these clusters of ions molecules. Instead they are referred
to as crystals. (Any well organized group of ions or even molecules can be
referred to as a crystal).
- Below are some examples of ionic substances: