Ionic Bonding

1. The table below shows the proton number and nucleon number of elements M and N.

When M and N combine together to form a compound, what will be the mass of one mole of the
compound?

A. 43
B. 70
C. 102
D. 113

(8_p264) Answers: C

Electronic configuration of M: 2, 8, 3 -> Aluminum (Refer to the periodic table)

Electronic configuration of N: 2, 6 -> Oxygen (Refer to the periodic table)

M3+ and N2- will form M2N3. (Al2O3)

Mass of MN = 27 x 2 + 16 x 3 = 102

2. An element Q has x neutrons and y protons.

Which symbol can be used to represent the ion of Q if it belongs to Group VI?
x+ y 2+¿
A. yQ ¿
x 2+¿
B. Q
y ¿
x+ y 2−¿
C. yQ ¿
x 2−¿
D. Q
y ¿

(12_p8) Answers: C

Q will gain two electrons to attain the electronic configuration of noble gas.
3. Three elements, X, Y and Z have consecutive increasing atomic numbers. If element Y is a noble gas,
what will be the symbol for the ions formed by elements X and Z in their compounds?

A. X- and Z+
B. X2- and Z2+
C. X+ and Z-
D. X2+ and Z2-

(7_p51) Answers: A

X and Z must be from Group 7 and Group 1 respectively. Group 7 elements have a tendency to gain one
electron and Group 1 elements have a tendency to give away one electron to attain noble gas
configuration.

4. Peeling onions often causes tearing of the eyes due to the release of a sulfide compound. Peeling
them under running water reduces the problem. Which of the following statements are true of the
sulfide compound?

I. It is soluble in water

II. It has low boiling point.

III. It has small and light ions with weak bonding.

IV. It is a covalent compound with weak covalent bonds.

A. I and II only
B. I and IV only
C. I, II and Ill only
D. I, II and IV only

(9_p51) Answers: A

Since the release of a sulfide compound can be reduced by running water, the compound must be
soluble in water. It must have a low boiling point in order to vapourise and smell by other.

(III) and (IV) are incorrect because ionic bonds and covalent bonds are usually strong. The compound
should be a covalent compound with weak intermolecular forces of attraction which accounts for the
low boiling point.

Note: Sulfide is S2- while sulphate is SO42-.

5. An element E forms a negative ion, E2-, with the electronic structure 2, 8, 8. What is the proton
number of E?

A. 16
B. 17
C. 18
D. 20

(6_p109) Answers: A

Before gaining two electrons, E has 16 electrons which indicates the number of protons.

6. Element L and M form a compound which has a structure shown below.

Based on the structure shown above, deduce the chemical formula of the compound formed between
element L and M.

A. LM
B. L2M
C. LM2
D. L14M13

(14_p112) Answers: A

Each L is surrounded by six M. Each M is surrounded by six L.

7. A metal Y forms a sulfate salt with the formula, YSO 4 while a non-metal Z forms an ammonium salt
with the formula, (NH4)3Z. What is the formula of the substance formed between Y and Z?

A. YZ
B. Y3Z
C. YZ3
D. Y3Z2
(11_p158) Answers: D

8. The electronic structure of two atoms P and Q are shown.

What is the type of chemical bonding and the mass of one mole of compound formed between these
two elements?

type of bonding mass of one mole of compound / g

A covalent bonding 70
B covalent bonding 113
C ionic bonding 43
D ionic bonding 102

(12_p158) Answers: D

P and Q are from group III and VI respectively. P is aluminium and Q is oxygen.

P2Q3 (Al2O3) is the formula of the ionic compound.

9. The formulae of the ions of some elements are shown below: The formulae of the ions of some
elements are shown below:

P3- O2- Cl- Na+ Ca2+

Which of the following statements about these ions is correct?

A. All have stable noble gas configuration.

B. All have the same number of electron shells.
C. All have the same number of neutrons in their nuclei.
D. All have more electrons than protons.

(10_p214) Answers: A

(B) P3-, Cl- and Ca2+ have 3 electron shells (2, 8, 8). O2- and Na+ have 2 electron shells (2, 8).
(D) The negative ions (P3-, O2- and Cl-) have more electrons than protons.

10. Particles with the same electron arrangement are said to be isoelectronic. Which of the following
compounds contains ions which are isoelectronic?

A. CaCl2
B. KBr
C. MgCl2
D. Na2S

(7_p314) Answers: A

(write down electron arrangement of ions given in the option and compare)

Electron arrangement:

A Ca2+ : 2,8,8 Cl- : 2,8,8

B K+ : 2,8,8 Br- : 2,8,18,8
C Mg2+ : 2,8 Cl- : 2,8,8
D Na+ : 2,8 S2- : 2,8,8

11. The table shows information about particles X and Y.

Which statement is correct for both X and Y?

A. They are atoms of metals.

B. They are atoms of noble gases.
C. They are isotopes of the same element.
D. They are negative ions.

(8_p315) Answers: D

(compare no. of protons and no. of electrons)

X: 9 protons, 10 electrons so X is negative ion

Y: 17 protons, 18 electrons, so Y is negative ion

Note: X is fluorine and Y is chlorine.

12. The table shows some properties of four substances.

Which substance is an ionic compound?

(9_p315) Answers: B

see the column for ability to conduct electricity in solid and in aq state

13. The diagram shows the arrangement of the ions in an ionic crystal.

Which substance cannot have this arrangement of its ions?

A. CuSO4
B. KCl
C. MgO
D. Na2S

(9_p405) Answers: D

Option A, B and C have cation and anion in the ratio of 1:1.

14. Which of the following correctly describes the particles in a very dilute sodium chloride solution at
room temperature?

(10_p405) Answers: A

Since this is a dilute solution, there must be a lot of water molecules. So ions of sodium chloride are far
apart, while water molecules are close together. In liquid form, the ions and water molecules do not
vibrate in fixed position (solid state) or move rapidly in all directions (gaseous state).