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Biology
Chemistry
AP Chemistry
English
AP English Literature
Chemistry
Nov 29, 2025
81
2 pages
Dive into the fascinating world of ions and ionic compounds! When atoms lose or gain electrons during chemical... Show more
Ever wondered what happens when atoms gain or lose electrons? They become ions - charged particles that are essential in chemistry. When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged (a cation). This is common for metals like sodium or aluminum .
On the flip side, when atoms gain electrons, they become negatively charged (an anion). This typically happens with nonmetals like chlorine or oxygen . The charge of an ion tells you exactly how many electrons were lost or gained!
Predicting ion charges is actually pretty straightforward. Elements in Group 1A (like sodium and potassium) form +1 cations, while Group 2A elements (like magnesium and calcium) form +2 cations. For nonmetals, the charge is usually . So Group 7A elements like chlorine form -1 anions, while Group 6A elements like oxygen form -2 anions.
💡 Think of it like this metals want to give away electrons (becoming positive), while nonmetals want to take electrons (becoming negative). It's like one friend who loves giving gifts and another who loves receiving them!
Opposites attract! This fundamental principle explains why positively charged cations bond with negatively charged anions to form ionic compounds. When sodium meets chlorine , they form sodium chloride (NaCl) - the table salt you use every day!
Writing formulas for ionic compounds follows a simple pattern. First, identify the charges of your ions. Then use cross-multiplication - the charge magnitude on one ion becomes the subscript for the other. For example, when magnesium meets phosphorus , they form Mg₃P₂.
Remember that ionic compounds must be electroneutral - the positive and negative charges need to balance out. This is why magnesium oxide is MgO , but sodium sulfide is Na₂S .
🔍 When writing formulas, always reduce to the lowest whole-number ratio. If your cross-multiplication gives you Na₂S₂, simplify it to Na₂S by dividing all subscripts by their greatest common factor.
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
3
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore the fundamentals of atomic structure, including the nature of atoms, ionic and metallic bonding, and the properties of elements and compounds. This summary covers key concepts such as subatomic particles, electronic structure, and the characteristics of ionic compounds, making it essential for students studying chemistry.
Chemistrychemistry
ChemistryExplore the fundamentals of chemical bonding, including ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds. Understand the properties of giant covalent structures and the unique allotropes of carbon, such as diamond and graphite. This summary provides essential insights for students studying chemistry.
ChemistryExplore the fundamental concepts of ionic bonding, including the structure of ionic compounds, their properties, and the process of electron transfer between metals and nonmetals. This summary includes a dot and cross diagram example for visual understanding, making it ideal for exam preparation.
ChemistrySteps in naming metallic and non-metallic ions.
ChemistryStudy of matter, physical states of matter, properties of matter, changes in matter, pure substance and mixtures, elements and compounds, Atoms and molecules, chemical formulas, chemical symbols, names, discovery and abundance of elements,
ChemistryApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Dive into the fascinating world of ions and ionic compounds! When atoms lose or gain electrons during chemical reactions, they form charged particles called ions. These ions are the building blocks of ionic compounds, which play a crucial role in... Show more
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Ever wondered what happens when atoms gain or lose electrons? They become ions - charged particles that are essential in chemistry. When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged (a cation). This is common for metals like sodium or aluminum .
On the flip side, when atoms gain electrons, they become negatively charged (an anion). This typically happens with nonmetals like chlorine or oxygen . The charge of an ion tells you exactly how many electrons were lost or gained!
Predicting ion charges is actually pretty straightforward. Elements in Group 1A (like sodium and potassium) form +1 cations, while Group 2A elements (like magnesium and calcium) form +2 cations. For nonmetals, the charge is usually . So Group 7A elements like chlorine form -1 anions, while Group 6A elements like oxygen form -2 anions.
💡 Think of it like this: metals want to give away electrons (becoming positive), while nonmetals want to take electrons (becoming negative). It's like one friend who loves giving gifts and another who loves receiving them!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Opposites attract! This fundamental principle explains why positively charged cations bond with negatively charged anions to form ionic compounds. When sodium meets chlorine , they form sodium chloride (NaCl) - the table salt you use every day!
Writing formulas for ionic compounds follows a simple pattern. First, identify the charges of your ions. Then use cross-multiplication - the charge magnitude on one ion becomes the subscript for the other. For example, when magnesium meets phosphorus , they form Mg₃P₂.
Remember that ionic compounds must be electroneutral - the positive and negative charges need to balance out. This is why magnesium oxide is MgO , but sodium sulfide is Na₂S .
🔍 When writing formulas, always reduce to the lowest whole-number ratio. If your cross-multiplication gives you Na₂S₂, simplify it to Na₂S by dividing all subscripts by their greatest common factor.
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
3
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore the fundamentals of atomic structure, including the nature of atoms, ionic and metallic bonding, and the properties of elements and compounds. This summary covers key concepts such as subatomic particles, electronic structure, and the characteristics of ionic compounds, making it essential for students studying chemistry.
Chemistrychemistry
ChemistryExplore the fundamentals of chemical bonding, including ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds. Understand the properties of giant covalent structures and the unique allotropes of carbon, such as diamond and graphite. This summary provides essential insights for students studying chemistry.
ChemistryExplore the fundamental concepts of ionic bonding, including the structure of ionic compounds, their properties, and the process of electron transfer between metals and nonmetals. This summary includes a dot and cross diagram example for visual understanding, making it ideal for exam preparation.
ChemistrySteps in naming metallic and non-metallic ions.
ChemistryStudy of matter, physical states of matter, properties of matter, changes in matter, pure substance and mixtures, elements and compounds, Atoms and molecules, chemical formulas, chemical symbols, names, discovery and abundance of elements,
ChemistryApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Algebra
Calculus 1
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