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Forming ionic bonds

Positively are called , and negatively charged ions are called . These ions can form when a reacts with a , by transferring . The oppositely charged ions are strongly attracted to each other, forming .

An explanation of ionic bonding

Dot and cross diagrams

A dot and cross diagram can model the transfer of electrons from metal atoms to non-metal atoms. The electrons from one atom are shown as dots, and the electrons from the other atom are shown as crosses. For example, when sodium reacts with chlorine, electrons transfer from sodium to chlorine atoms.

The outer electron from a sodium atom transfers to the outer shell of a chlorine atom
Figure caption,
The outer electron from a sodium atom transfers to the outer shell of a chlorine atom

Modelling ionic bonding

The slideshow shows dot and cross diagrams for the ions in sodium chloride, magnesium oxide and calcium chloride.

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 6, Structures of a sodium atom and a chlorine atom.,