What happens to atoms during ionic bonding?

Answer 1

During ionic bonding, atoms either lose electrons (if they are metals), or gain electrons (non-metals). The atoms now become charged ions, as there is an imbalance of protons and electrons. For example, sodium and chlorine are very, very reactive on their own, but when brought together, the sodium loses one valence electron, whilst the chlorine gains this single electron. The resulting compound is sodium chloride, which is stable, now that the ions have a full outer electron shell. For more detail, see accompanying link.

Answer 2

The nucleus of the atom does NOT change. It contains the same number of protons and neutrons before it bonded ionically.

Once an atom gains or loses electrons it becomes an ION. ; NOt an atom.

When electrons are lost or gained from an atom , the number of protons and electrons is NOT equal.

e.g.

Sodium ; No. protons = 11, No. of electrons = 11 in the neutrally charged atoms.

However, when it ioninises, the no. of protons remains at 11 , but the number of electrons is now '10'. Hence it is given the ionic charge of Na^(+)

Chlorine; No. protons = 17, No. of electrons = 17 in the neutrally charged atoms.

However, when it undergoes electron affinity , the no. of protons remains at 17 , but the number of electrons is now '18' . Hence it is given the ionic charge of Cl^(-) .

Because these charges are opposite in character and of the same no. '1'. Then the ions come together by electrostatic attraction ; a bit like the N & S poles of a magnet.

As mentioned above, the nuclei of the ion does NOT change, it is only the outer valence energy shell of electrons that changes.

Answer 3

During ionic bonding, atoms transfer electrons to achieve a full outer shell. One atom loses electrons to become positively charged (cation) and another atom gains those electrons to become negatively charged (anion). The attraction between these oppositely charged ions leads to the formation of an ionic bond.