Chapter 4: Atoms and

Bonding
What are the parts of an
atom?
Valence Electrons
• Valence electrons determine an atom’s properties
• Valence electrons are involved in bonding
• An electron dot diagram shows valence electrons
Ions
• Ions are formed when an atom gains or loses an electron
• Metals tend to lose electrons and form positive ions (cations)
• Nonmetals gain electrons and form negative ions (anions)

• Why do you think losing electrons forms positive ions?

• Why do you think gaining electrons would form negative ions?
Pause from notes…
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI3TbQc0Uwg
What is a positive ion called?
What is a negative ion called?
• How is a positive ion created?
• How is a negative ion created?
Ionic Bonds
• Opposites Attract: positive ions are attracted to negative ions.

• The attraction of two oppositely charged ions is an ionic bond.

• The compound that forms is an ionic compound
 Which of the following pictures shows an
ionic compound being formed?

1 

2
 Example:
1. Sodium has 1 valence electron, Chlorine has 7 valence electrons.

2. Sodium transfers its valence electron to chlorine. The sodium ion

becomes a positive ion (Na+), chlorine atom becomes a negative
ion (Cl-)

3. Na+ is attracted to Cl- These two ions form a crystal.

Cation (positive Anion (negative Compound
ion) ion)
Li+ I-

K2O

Na+ NaCl
Ions
• Some ions are made of more than one atom. These are called
polyatomic ions.

• The attraction of two oppositely charged ions is an ionic bond.

• The compound that forms is an ionic compound
Chemical Formula
• A group of atom symbols that tells the ratio of elements in a
compound.
• Ex: NaCl
• One sodium
• One chloride

• MgCl2
• One magnesium
• Two chlorides
• The 2 next to chlorine is called a subscript
• Name the positive ion first, then the negative one
Metallic Bonds
• A metal crystal is made of closely packed, positive metal atoms.
• The metals’ electrons flow around all atoms in a “sea”
• This sea of electrons allows for metals to be malleable.
• The sea of electrons allows for metals to conduct electricity

• An alloy is a mixture made of more than one metal.

• Alloys are stronger and less reactive than pure metals
• Steel is made of iron, carbon, nickel, and chromium.
Covalent Bonds
• When two atoms share electrons they form a covalent bond
• Covalent compounds are also called molecules
Bond Polarity
• When two atoms share electrons unevenly they form a polar
bond or molecule.
• This means that one side of the bond is slightly positive and
the other side is slightly negative.

• Bonds can be polar or nonpolar

Water is a polar molecule
• Effects of water’s polarity:
• High vapor pressure
• High melting point and boiling point
• Surface tension
• Less dense in solid form
• High specific heat capacity
• Intermolecular forces
• Choose three of the above properties of water. Add these to your vocab
assignment.
• Teach your classmates in your breakout groups what you learned about
each property.