Ionic Bonding

Valence Electrons Located in the highest occupied energy level Determines the chemical properties of an element Usually the only electrons used in chemical bonds

Electron dot structures Indicate the valence electrons only Octet rule

Atoms of metallic element tend to lose electrons Atoms of non-metallic elements tend to gain electrons

Cations Positive electrical charge Sodium Neutral Sodium cation

Anions Negative electrical charge Chlorine anion Chlorine neutral

Ionic compounds Composed of anions and cations. Ionic bonds – relatively weak Most ionic compounds are crystalline solids with high melting temperatures