AQA · Chemistry · 8462

GCSE Chemistry (AQA): Ionic Compounds

Topic 2 — Bonding, Structure & Properties of Matter. Generated from the caption track of Cognito's lesson video "GCSE Chemistry - Ionic Compounds - Structure | Properties | Formula (2027/28 exams)"; each card deep-links to the moment in the video it came from. Lesson 2.03 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_2.03.

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  1. What is the formula of magnesium chloride, and why?

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    MgCl₂ — Mg²⁺ needs two Cl⁻ ions to balance its 2+ charge.

  2. Why do ionic compounds have very high melting and boiling points?

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    There are many strong ionic bonds holding the lattice together, so a large amount of energy is needed to break them all.

  3. Under what two conditions can an ionic compound conduct electricity?

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    When it is molten or dissolved in water — the ions are then free to move and carry charge.

  4. What is the formula and charge of the ammonium ion?

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    NH₄⁺.

  5. What type of structure do ionic compounds form in the solid state?

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    A giant three-dimensional regular lattice, in which positive and negative ions alternate and each ion is attracted to all those around it.

  6. The formula of the nitrate ion is ?.

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    NO₃⁻

  7. The formula of the carbonate ion is ?.

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    CO₃²⁻

  8. What is the formula and charge of the hydroxide ion?

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    OH⁻.

  9. Why is calcium hydroxide written as Ca(OH)₂ with brackets?

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    The brackets show that the subscript 2 applies to the whole hydroxide ion, not just the hydrogen.

  10. What is the formula and charge of the sulfate ion?

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    SO₄²⁻.

  11. Why can solid ionic compounds not conduct electricity?

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    The ions are fixed in the lattice, so there are no charged particles free to move.

  12. What is the formula of aluminium sulfate?

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    Al₂(SO₄)₃ — two Al³⁺ (6+) balance three SO₄²⁻ (6−).

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