Ionic Bonding - Questions
The Ionic Bonding Concept Builder is comprised of 38 questions. The questions are organized into 14 different Question Groups and spread across three different activities. Questions in the same group are rather similar to one another; for instance the elements involved in the bond may be different from question to question within the same group but all the element combinations may be a 2+ ion with a 1- ion. The Concept Builder is coded to select at random a question from each group until a student is successful with that group of questions.
The three activities in this Concept Builder are differentiated as follows:
- Identify the Ionic Bond: Question Groups 1-4 ... Students are presented with four pairs of elements and asked which two pairs of elements would be involved in ionic bonding.
- Ion Formation: Question Groups 5-8 ... Students create an electron shell diagram for a given element and then decide on whether the element would gain or lose electrons to become an ion and how many electrons would be gained or lost. They must also state the charge of the ion that is formed.
- Electron Transfer: Question Groups 9-14 ... Students are given two elements - a metal and a nonmetal - and must make complete five tasks: identify the electron shell diagram; state which element would form a cation and an anion; state how many electrons are gained or lost in the process of becoming an ion; identify the numbers of each ion that would combine to form an ionic compound; and identify the formula of the ionic compound.
The questions from each group are shown below. Teachers are encouraged to view the questions in order to judge which activities are most appropriate for their classes. Alternatively, teachers can do the
Concept Builder to gain a feel for the student experience..
The Physics Classroom grants teachers and other users the right to print these questions for private use. Users are also granted the right to copy the text and modify it for their own use. However, this document should not be uploaded to other servers for distribution to and/or display by others. The Physics Classroom website should remain the only website or server from which the document is distributed or displayed. We also provide a PDF that teachers can use under the same conditions. We have included a link to the PDF near the bottom of this page.
Ionic Bonding
Ionic Bonding
Activity 1: Identify the Ionic Bond
Question Group 1
Question 1
Consider the four pairs of elements below. Which two pairs are most likely to form an ionic bond?
Na and Cl, Mg and O, Na and Al, C and O
Question 2
Consider the four pairs of elements below. Which two pairs are most likely to form an ionic bond?
Na and Br, Mg and S, Ca and Al, N and O
Question Group 2
Question 3
Consider the four pairs of elements below. Which two pairs are most likely to form an ionic bond?
Ca and Cl, Al and N, P and H, N and Cl
Question 4
Consider the four pairs of elements below. Which two pairs are most likely to form an ionic bond?
Ca and F, Al and P, C and H, P and Cl
Question Group 3
Question 5
Consider the four pairs of elements below. Which two pairs are most likely to form an ionic bond?
Mg and O, Na and F, O and F, Mg and Zn
Question 6
Consider the four pairs of elements below. Which two pairs are most likely to form an ionic bond?
Mg and S, Na and O, S and Cl, Ca and Zn
Question Group 4
Question 7
Consider the four pairs of elements below. Which two pairs are most likely to form an ionic bond?
Al and O, Ca and S, O and Cl, S and O
Question 8
Consider the four pairs of elements below. Which two pairs are most likely to form an ionic bond?
Al and S, Ba and O, S and Cl, N and Cl
Activity 2: Ion Formation
Question Group 5
Question 9
Construct the electron shell diagram for an atom of sodium (11Na). Then identify the number of valence electrons in the sodium atom. Then complete the following sentence:
For sodium to become an ion, it will _____________ (gain or lose) ________ (a number) electrons and become a ___________ (ion formula) ion.
Question 10
Construct the electron shell diagram for an atom of magnesium (12Mg). Then identify the number of valence electrons in the magnesium atom. Then complete the following sentence:
For magnesium to become an ion, it will _____________ (gain or lose) ________ (a number) electrons and become a ___________ (ion formula) ion.
Question Group 6
Question 11
Construct the electron shell diagram for an atom of potassium (19K). Then identify the number of valence electrons in the potassium atom. Then complete the following sentence:
For potassium to become an ion, it will _____________ (gain or lose) ________ (a number) electrons and become a ___________ (ion formula) ion.
Question 12
Construct the electron shell diagram for an atom of calcium (20Ca). Then identify the number of valence electrons in the calcium atom. Then complete the following sentence:
For calcium to become an ion, it will _____________ (gain or lose) ________ (a number) electrons and become a ___________ (ion formula) ion.
Question Group 7
Question 13
Construct the electron shell diagram for an atom of oxygen (8O). Then identify the number of valence electrons in the oxygen atom. Then complete the following sentence:
For oxygen to become an ion, it will _____________ (gain or lose) ________ (a number) electrons and become a ___________ (ion formula) ion.
Question 14
Construct the electron shell diagram for an atom of fluorine (9F). Then identify the number of valence electrons in the fluorine atom. Then complete the following sentence:
For fluorine to become an ion, it will _____________ (gain or lose) ________ (a number) electrons and become a ___________ (ion formula) ion.
Question Group 8
Question 15
Construct the electron shell diagram for an atom of sulfur (16S). Then identify the number of valence electrons in the sulfur atom. Then complete the following sentence:
For sulfur to become an ion, it will _____________ (gain or lose) ________ (a number) electrons and become a ___________ (ion formula) ion.
Question 16
Construct the electron shell diagram for an atom of chlorine (17Cl). Then identify the number of valence electrons in the chlorine atom. Then complete the following sentence:
For chlorine to become an ion, it will _____________ (gain or lose) ________ (a number) electrons and become a ___________ (ion formula) ion.
Activity 3: Electron Transfer
Question Group 9
Question 17
Consider the ionic compound formed from sodium (Na) and oxygen (O). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for sodium and for oxygen:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of sodium and oxygen must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from sodium and oxygen.
Question 18
Consider the ionic compound formed from potassium (K) and oxygen (O). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for potassium and for oxygen:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of potassium and oxygen must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from potassium and oxygen.
Question 19
Consider the ionic compound formed from sodium (Na) and sulfur (S). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for sodium and for sulfur:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of sodium and sulfur must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from sodium and sulfur.
Question 20
Consider the ionic compound formed from potassium (K) and sulfur (S). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for potassium and for sulfur:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of potassium and sulfur must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from potassium and sulfur.
Question Group 10
Question 21
Consider the ionic compound formed from magnesium (Mg) and oxygen (O). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for magnesium and for oxygen:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of magnesium and oxygen must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from magnesium and oxygen.
Question 22
Consider the ionic compound formed from calcium (Ca) and oxygen (O). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for calcium and for oxygen.
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of calcium and oxygen must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from calcium and oxygen.
Question 23
Consider the ionic compound formed from magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for magnesium and for sulfur.
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of magnesium and sulfur must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from magnesium and sulfur.
Question 24
Consider the ionic compound formed from calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for calcium and for sulfur.
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of calcium and sulfur must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from calcium and sulfur.
Question Group 11
Question 25
Consider the ionic compound formed from aluminum (Al) and fluorine (F). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for aluminum and for fluorine:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of aluminum and fluorine must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from aluminum and fluorine.
Question 26
Consider the ionic compound formed from aluminum (Al) and chlorine (Cl). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for aluminum and for chlorine:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of aluminum and chlorine must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from aluminum and chlorine.
Question 27
Consider the ionic compound formed from aluminum (Al) and bromine (Br). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for aluminum and for bromine:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of aluminum and bromine must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from aluminum and bromine.
Question 28
Consider the ionic compound formed from aluminum (Al) and iodine (I). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for aluminum and for iodine:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of aluminum and iodine must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from aluminum and iodine.
Question Group 12
Question 29
Consider the ionic compound formed from magnesium (Mg) and fluorine (F). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for magnesium and for fluorine:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of magnesium and fluorine must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from magnesium and fluorine.
Question 30
Consider the ionic compound formed from calcium (Ca) and fluorine (F). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for calcium and for fluorine:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of calcium and fluorine must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from calcium and fluorine.
Question 31
Consider the ionic compound formed from magnesium (Mg) and chlorine (Cl). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for magnesium and for chlorine:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of magnesium and chlorine must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from magnesium and chlorine.
Question 32
Consider the ionic compound formed from calcium (Ca) and chlorine (Cl). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for calcium and for chlorine:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of calcium and chlorine must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from calcium and chlorine.
Question Group 13
Question 33
Consider the ionic compound formed from aluminum (Al) and oxygen (O). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for aluminum and for oxygen:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of aluminum and oxygen must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from aluminum and oxygen.
Question 34
Consider the ionic compound formed from aluminum (Al) and sulfur (S). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for aluminum and for sulfur:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of aluminum and sulfur must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from aluminum and sulfur.
Question Group 14
Question 35
Consider the ionic compound formed from sodium (Na) and nitrogen (N). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for sodium and for nitrogen:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of sodium and nitrogen must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from sodium and nitrogen.
Question 36
Consider the ionic compound formed from potassium (K) and nitrogen (N). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for potassium and for nitrogen:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of potassium and nitrogen must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from potassium and nitrogen.
Question 37
Consider the ionic compound formed from sodium (Na) and phosphorus (P). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for sodium and for phosphorus:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of sodium and phosphorus must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from sodium and phosphorus.
Question 38
Consider the ionic compound formed from potassium (K) and phosphorus (P). It’s formed as a result of electron transfer. One element donates or gives away one or more electrons. The other element accepts or receives the electrons. Let’s analyze this process.
To begin, identify the electron shell diagram for potassium and for phosphorus:
Second, which element is the electron donor and which is the electron acceptor?
Third, how many electrons does each atom of ______ donate? And how many electrons does each atom of ______ accept?
Fourth, how many atoms of potassium and phosphorus must be present in the compound’s formula?
Finally, identify the formula for the ionic compound formed from potassium and phosphorus.