AQA · Chemistry · 8462
GCSE Chemistry (AQA): Ionic Bonding
Topic 2 — Bonding, Structure & Properties of Matter. Generated from the caption track of Cognito's lesson video "GCSE Chemistry - Ionic Bonding - Formation | Dot and Cross Diagrams (2027/28 exams)"; each card deep-links to the moment in the video it came from. Lesson 2.02 of Cognito's AQA GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy) and Chemistry course (Higher tier), filed under AQA Chemistry 8462. Teaching by Cognito — https://cognitoedu.org/coursesubtopic/c2-gcse-aqa-h-c_2.02.
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How should electron transfer be indicated in a dot and cross diagram?
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With an arrow showing the movement of the electron.
Write the equation for a sodium atom forming a sodium ion.
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Na → Na⁺ + e⁻ — sodium loses its single outer electron to gain a full outer shell.
In a dot and cross diagram of MgCl₂, where are the chloride ions drawn?
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On either side of the magnesium ion, reflecting how they are attracted to it in the real compound.
Why are dots used for one atom's electrons and crosses for the other's?
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So you can tell which electrons originally came from which atom.
Define an ionic bond.
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The strong electrostatic force of attraction between oppositely charged ions.
As a general rule, electrons move from the ? to the non-metal during ionic bonding.
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metal
How is an ion shown in a dot and cross diagram?
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Drawn inside big square brackets with its charge written in the top right corner.
What happens to electrons when sodium reacts with chlorine?
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An electron is transferred from the sodium atom to the chlorine atom, so both end up with full outer shells.
How does the strength of an ionic bond compare with a covalent bond?
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They are similar in strength — both are very strong.
Write the equation for a chlorine atom forming a chloride ion.
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Cl + e⁻ → Cl⁻ — chlorine gains one electron to complete its outer shell.
What makes an atom stable in terms of its electrons?
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Having a full outer shell of electrons.
Which ions are formed when magnesium reacts with chlorine to make MgCl₂?
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One Mg²⁺ ion and two Cl⁻ ions — magnesium gives one of its two outer electrons to each chlorine.
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