A dot and cross diagram for sodium chloride suggests that it is made up of pairs of sodium and chloride ions. It is not. A 3D construction model shows how the ions are arranged in a lattice structure.

An Ionic bond is formed when one of the atoms can donate electrons to achieve the inert gas electron configuration and the other atom needs electrons to achieve the inert gas electron configuration.

Learn more on the properties of ionic compounds in this podcast. Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds. Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points, so they are in the solid state at room ...

A small piece of sodium metal is placed in a flask of chlorine gas. A little water helps expose the sodium so it can react with the chlorine gas. The reaction releases a lot of heat as the ionic ...