Essential idea: Ionic compounds consist of ions held together in lattice structures by ionic bonds.
4.1 Ionic bonding and structure
UNDERSTANDINGS:
U4.1.1 Positive ions (cations) form by metals losing valence electrons.
When metals lose electrons (only metals can lose electrons, non-metals gain due to their electronic configuration), they become cations. Cations are positively charged ions since they now have more protons present in their nucleus than they do electrons, giving them an overall positive charge.
UNDERSTANDINGS:
U4.1.1 Positive ions (cations) form by metals losing valence electrons.
When metals lose electrons (only metals can lose electrons, non-metals gain due to their electronic configuration), they become cations. Cations are positively charged ions since they now have more protons present in their nucleus than they do electrons, giving them an overall positive charge.