Ionic Bonds

Handing electrons over

An interactive lesson with 9 steps, about 8 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Metals lose electrons to become positive ions; non-metals gain them to become negative ions.
• An ionic formula is the ratio that makes the charges cancel: NaCl, MgCl₂, Al₂O₃.
• Bigger charges and smaller ions make stronger ionic solids.

Steps

1. Giving electrons away
2. Make table salt
3. Which way?
4. Who pays for the transfer?
5. Magnesium chloride
6. Charges must cancel
7. Stronger charges, harder solids
8. Salt and electricity
9. Sapphire’s recipe