AQA · Chemistry · 8462
GCSE Chemistry: Ionic compounds
Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter · AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), specification point 4.2.1.3. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Ionic compounds", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.
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What type of structure does an ionic compound have?
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A giant structure (lattice) of ions.
What holds the ions together in an ionic compound?
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Strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions.
In which directions do the electrostatic forces act in an ionic lattice?
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In all directions throughout the lattice.
The strong electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions acting in all directions in a lattice is called ?.
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ionic bonding
Why are the electrostatic forces in an ionic compound described as strong?
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They act between oppositely charged ions in all directions, so a large amount of energy is needed to overcome them.
Which ionic compound's structure must GCSE students know as the standard example?
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Sodium chloride (NaCl).
Name three ways of representing a giant ionic structure such as sodium chloride.
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Dot and cross diagrams, ball and stick models, and 2D/3D lattice diagrams.
What is a limitation of a dot and cross diagram for an ionic compound?
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It shows only how the ions form (electron transfer), not the giant 3D lattice structure or the number of ions.
What is a limitation of a ball and stick model of an ionic lattice?
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The 'sticks' suggest bonds in fixed directions and the ions are shown with gaps between them, whereas the forces act in all directions and the ions are packed closely together.
What is a limitation of a 2D diagram of a giant ionic structure?
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It shows only a single layer of ions, so it does not show the 3D arrangement of the lattice.
How is the empirical formula of an ionic compound worked out from a lattice diagram?
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Count the ions of each type shown and express their ratio in its simplest whole-number form.
What feature of a structure diagram shows a compound is ionic?
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A regular lattice of alternating positive and negative ions (oppositely charged ions in a repeating pattern).
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