A cool question that i asked my students during the Intensive Revision Program. This will test you on your understanding of basic concepts of Ionic Bonding. Give it a try!
Question:
The proton number of calcium is 20. When calcium forms an ionic compound, the electronic configuration of the calcium ion is:
A 2.8.8
B 2.8.8.1
C 2.8.8.2
D 2.8.8.8
Cheers
Sean
PS: Check “Comments” below for Suggested Answers.
Answer should be A.
When ionic cpd is formed,its stable.
Reply
Yes. I agree with Gary.
Calcium has 20 electrons. It is a group II metal
When it forms an ionic compound, it lose 2 electrons readily to obtain the octet/noble gas configuration for it to become stable.
Calcium metal becomes a cation with charge 2+
Hence, electronic configuration: 2.8.8
Reply
Saud Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 1:41 am
hey jennifer i like your group reference
Reply
Well Done Gary & Jennifer.
The explaination given by both of you are correctly described.
You should be able to answer Section B and C questions for such Ionic Bonding
topic with ease.
Keep up that tempo!
Cheers
Sean
Reply
dose ionic compuonds have dipole dipole atrction?
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Hi Abedelfeta,
I suppose you are from a higher education level than GCE O Level Sec 4/5 or US
Grade 9-11 since they do not really learn about Dipole Dipole Attraction.
For GCE O Level standard, i would like to state that dipole-dipole is the ‘same’ as
Ionic Bonding. This is to make sure they are not confused with new chemistry
terms that are not tested.
But in reality and higher education, Dipole-Dipole is only Similar to Ionic Bonding,
this meaning that they are different.
Ionic Bonding occurs when there is one element that loves to give electrons away (i.e. Grp 1 metal) and an element that loves to
take in electrons (i.e. Grp 7 halogens). There is a distinct and specific electron transfer from one element to another.
In dipole-dipole, the two elements do not have High tendency to lose and gain an
electron. Instead, there is slight amount of sharing within the 2 elements.
Detailed explaination can be seen at: http://web.mst.edu/~gbert/INTERACT/intermolecular.HTM
Hope that helps,
Sean
Reply
A…………….
in form of an ion calcium has actually lost two of its electrons hence there are 20 – 2 = 18 electrons in an ion of calcium and making its diagram the electronic structure becomes 2, 8, 8….
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I agree with jennifer and Gary on the stability of the metal atom as it forms an ionic bond and that its configuration tends to that of a noble gas
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