Physical Science
You will be introduced to ions and the formation of ionic bonds.
Over 1,200 Lessons: Get a Free Trial | Enroll Today
After completing this tutorial, you will be able to complete the following:
Atoms are made up of three subatomic particles: the proton, neutron and electron. The proton has a positive charge and is located inside the nucleus. The neutron is also located inside the nucleus, but has a neutral, or no charge. The electrons orbit around the nucleus with a negative charge. The overall charge for an atom is the difference of the number of electrons to the number of protons.
Each element has a specific number of protons, which will not change. The number of neutrons may change, but that will not be discussed in this activity. The number of electrons may change depending on the type of atom. If an atom gains an electron, the overall charge of the atom is negative one. If the atom loses an electron the overall charge becomes positive one. In both cases, the atom is now called an ion, indicating it has an overall charge. When ions with opposite charges come in close proximity with each other, they may be attracted to each other forming an ionic bond. If the ions have the same charge as each other, they will repel away from one another and not form a bond.
| Approximate Time | 20 Minutes |
| Pre-requisite Concepts | Students should be familiar with Atomic structure. |
| Course | Physical Science |
| Type of Tutorial | Concept Development |
| Key Vocabulary | atom, bond, chemical |
