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Edexcel International A Level Chemistry

Ionic Bonding & Structure

Ionic compounds form when electrons are transferred and oppositely charged ions attract each other in a giant ionic lattice.

Exam Unit
Unit 1
WCH11/01 – IAS
Specification Points
3.1 – 3.9
8 points covered
Sub-topics
3 lessons
Revision notes available
Exam Board
Edexcel International
Pearson International

Revision Notes

3 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.

One electron passing from a metal atom to a non-metal atom
1

Nature of Ionic Bonding

Revise electron transfer, ion formation and the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions in ionic compounds.

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A small cation pulling a large anion out of shape
2

Polarisation of Ions

Learn how small highly charged cations can distort anion electron clouds, giving some ionic compounds partial covalent character.

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A crystal splitting cleanly when ion layers shift
3

Physical Properties of Ionic Compounds

Connect giant ionic lattice structure with melting temperature, solubility, brittleness and electrical conductivity.

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Summary Map

Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.

Summary map

Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.

Illustration of a summary map: compounds joined by reaction arrows
Summary map · PDF

Ionic Bonding Map

Edexcel International A Level Chemistry · Unit 1 · Topic 3A Ionic Bonding

The whole section on one A4 page: forming ions, dot-and-cross diagrams, lattices and their strength, ionic radii, polarisation and the evidence for ions.

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Virtual Lessons

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Virtual Lessons

Taught step by step in 2 recorded video lessons, to watch at your own pace.

Topic 3A Ionic Bonding taught by a specialist chemistry teacher, in 2 recorded video lessons that follow the specification.

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MCQ Bank

Multiple-choice papers on this topic, marked the moment you submit. MCQ (A) is free.

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Test yourself: 4 MCQ papers

Exam-style multiple-choice papers, marked the moment you submit with every answer explained. MCQ (A) is free.

4 exam-style multiple-choice papers, MCQ (A) to (D): 77 questions on Topic 3A Ionic Bonding, written the way the exam asks them.

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  • Revise what you missedEach explanation links to the revision notes for that point.
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SAQ Bank

Written, drawn and worked exam practice on this topic, marked by a specialist chemistry teacher.

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Written and drawn answers: 3 papers

Draw, write and calculate the way the exam asks, then a specialist chemistry teacher marks your work.

3 exam papers, (A) to (C): 39 questions on Topic 3A Ionic Bonding with no multiple choice. You write explanations, work out calculations and draw answers: structures, mechanisms and diagrams.

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Specification

Every specification point in this topic, in the exam board's own words. Rate how confident you are with each one.

Self-assessment · 19 points

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3.1

  1. a

    know evidence for the existence of ions from physical properties of ionic compounds

    Revise
  2. b

    know evidence for the existence of ions from electron density maps

    Revise
  3. c

    know evidence for the existence of ions from the migration of ions

    Revise
  4. d

    be able to interpret evidence for the existence of ions from physical properties of ionic compounds

    Revise
  5. e

    be able to interpret evidence for the existence of ions from electron density maps

    Revise
  6. f

    be able to interpret evidence for the existence of ions from the migration of ions

    Revise

3.2

  1. a

    be able to describe the formation of positive ions in terms of loss of electrons

    Revise
  2. b

    be able to describe the formation of negative ions in terms of gain of electrons

    Revise

3.4

  1. 3.4

    be able to describe ionic crystals as giant lattices of ions

    Revise

3.5

  1. 3.5

    know that ionic bonding is the result of strong net electrostatic attraction between ions

    Revise

3.6

  1. a

    understand the effect of ionic radius on the strength of ionic bonding

    Revise
  2. b

    understand the effect of ionic charge on the strength of ionic bonding

    Revise

3.7

  1. a

    understand reasons for the trends in ionic radii down a group in the Periodic Table

    Revise
  2. b

    understand reasons for trends in ionic radii for a set of isoelectronic ions, including N3− to Al3+

    Revise

3.8

  1. 3.8

    understand the meaning of the term ‘polarisation’ as applied to ions

    Revise

3.9

  1. a

    understand that the polarising power of a cation depends on its radius

    Revise
  2. b

    understand that the polarising power of a cation depends on its charge

    Revise
  3. c

    understand that the polarisability of an anion depends on its radius

    Revise
  4. d

    understand that the polarisability of an anion depends on its charge

    Revise