Ionic Bonding Puzzle Lab:
Monoatomic Ions
Introduction
When metals and non-metals chemically react, the atoms will tend to form ions or charged atoms. Ions form
because electrons are either gained or lost. Metals will generally form cations or positive ions, since they
tend to donate electrons. Non-metals will form anions or negative ions, since they tend to accept electrons.
Objective
Your goal is to create ionic compounds based on specific roles anions and cations play within the bond and
how electrons are lost or gained in an ionic bond.
Question (IN YOUR LAB NOTEBOOK)
After reading the introduction and objective for the lab, write your lab question in your notebook.
Activity/Data (IN YOUR LAB NOTEBOOK)
In this activity you will create models of ionic compounds and observe the chemical formula of the binary
molecules you have created. Your data will be recorded in a data table or chart, similar to the one below.
DRAW THIS CHART IN YOUR LAB NOTEBOOK. YOU WILL BE CREATING 10 IONIC
COMPOUNDS.
Cation name
Anion name
Chemical Formula
Name
Discussion/Conclusion (IN YOUR LAB NOTEBOOK)
1. Notice the shape and charge of each cation and anion model. Why are there slots (triangular indents)
in the metal atoms and tabs (triangular out-dents) on the non-metal atoms? (TIP: how are electrons
transferred in this bond?)
2. Think about the ion models in terms of groups on the periodic table. What do you notice about the
number of tabs or slots on the ion and the group it is in on the periodic table? Describe the pattern
you see.
3. How did you go about naming each ionic compound? Describe the naming system. Hint: What group
are the cations in and does their name change in the compound? What group are the anions in and
does their name change in the compound?
4. Further application: If the ion ammonium (NH4)+ and the ion oxalate (C2O4)-2 combined, use the
methods explored in class to determine the ionic compound formed. Draw the piece/s for each ion
correctly (anion vs. cation) and how many of each are needed to form a neutral compound. Write the
chemical formula and name the compound using the names given.
Drawing using pieces
Chemical formula
Name
Ionic Bonding Puzzle Lab Notes
The Model
Metals ___________ electrons and become positive ions or ______________.
Non-metals __________ electrons and become negative ions or _____________.
lose, cations, gain, anions
neutral atom
ions
metal

non-metal

Using the same analogy for the atom, what would a +2 cation and a -2 anion look like? Draw them below
like the ones above.
Bonding and Predicting Chemical Formulas
Each ion in an ionic bond has a charge (+ or -) associated with it based on its position on the periodic table
and how many electrons need to be added or lost to achieve a full valence shell.
For example:
Fluorine is in group 7 and needs one more electron to fill its shell. Once it gains this electron it will
have a -1 charge.
You try:
1. Oxygen is in group ______ and needs ______ more electrons to fill its shell. Once it gains _____
electrons, it will have a ______ charge.
2. Magnesium is in group _______ and wants to give away _______ electrons to arrive at a full
shell. Once it gives up these _____ electrons, it will have a ______ charge.
In general:

Atoms in group 1 lose ____ electron to become a ______ charge.

Atoms in group 2 lose ____ electrons to become a ______ charge.

Atoms in group 7 gain ____ electron to become a ______ charge.

Atoms in group 6 gain ____ electrons to become a ______ charge.

Atoms in group 5 gain ____ electrons to become a ______ charge.
Chemical Formula Writing
Al2O3
The ______________ show the ___________ of each atom in the ________________.
subscripts, ratio, compound
For an ionic bond, the ___________, or number of each atom in the compound, need to balance the
___________ on the ions. The _________ of each ion changes to make the compound _________. The
chemical ____________ shows how many of each ion are needed to ______________ the __________
between both ions and make the compound neutral.
charges, neutral, formula, balance, subscripts, subscript
What will the ratio of ions need to be in order to balance the charge between the +1 and -1 ions below?
- 
+
What will the ratio of ions need to be in order to balance the charge between the +2 and -1 ions below?
+

+
Naming or Nomenclature
You have a set of puzzle pieces to use in creating ionic compounds. Analyze each cation and anion to
determine the naming scheme you will use in the lab.
Cation:
What do you notice about the name of the anion in each piece, regardless of charge?
Anion:
What do you notice about the name of the cation in each piece, regardless of charge?
Put the two together…
Cation name + anion name = ionic compound name
Example:
Magnesium ion + Chlorine ion = _________________________