IONS-MADE-SIMPLE

AN INTRODUCTION
TO THE CREATION OF
CATIONS AND ANIONS

Materials needed:
-Cup of beans (beans of your choice-1 cup per student)
-1 Electron place mat (preferably one per student;
included here)
-Ion Demonstration answer sheet (included here)

ELECRON PLACE- MAT

NUCLEUS

Lets Demonstrate How an Ion Forms!!!

Define Ionic bond: __________________________________________________________________________

Key point 1:
Key point 2:
Define Ions: ___________________________________________________________________
Examples: ____________________
ACTIVITY:
The Beans in the cups on each table represent electrons. As a group, you will demonstrate how the electrons
are transferred from one atom to another atom and become positive or negative ions.
Octet rule states that every atom wants a full valence electron shell consisting of _________________ valence
electrons in its outer shell (most of the time with the exception of Hydrogen or Helium).

Name
of
Atom
Oxygen
Aluminum
Sodium
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Lithium
Fluorine
Beryllium
Magnesium

# of
protons
and
electrons

Number
of
valence
electrons

Does this
atom
Gain (G)
or
Lose (L)
its v.e?

New#
Charge of
of protons
ion?
and
Write + for
electrons proton(s)
Write for
electrons(-)

8 p+/8 e-

6 v.e-

G-2 v.e-

8 p+/10e-

O2-

Cation
or
Anion
Anion

SUMMARY:
Fill in the blanks.
Atoms that gain electrons form __________________________ ions (now have extra
electrons).
Atoms that lose electrons form ___________________________ ions (now have extra protons).

POST-ASSESSMENT:
What do the following Ions mean?
Example: O 2-= Oxygen gained 2 electrons
1. Sn 4+ =
2. Hg 2+=
3. Li+=
4. F- =
5. P3- =
6. S2-=
7. N3-=
8. Mg2+=
9. B+3
10. Kr=
*Hint: Its a Noble gas.