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VICChemistryQuick questions
Unit 1: How can the diversity of materials be explained?
Quick questions on Metallic and ionic bonding: VCE Chemistry Unit 1
10short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is metallic bonding model?Show answer
A metal is a regular three-dimensional lattice of positive metal cations held together by a sea of delocalised valence electrons. Each atom contributes its valence electrons to a shared pool that is free to move throughout the lattice. The non-directional electrostatic attraction between the positive cations and the negative electron sea is the metallic bond.
What is alloys?Show answer
An alloy is a mixture of a metal with one or more other elements (often other metals). Examples: bronze (Cu + Sn), brass (Cu + Zn), stainless steel (Fe + Cr + Ni + C), solder (Sn + Pb).
What is ionic bonding model?Show answer
An ionic compound is a 3D lattice of alternating positive and negative ions held together by the strong electrostatic attraction between opposite charges (the ionic bond). It is non-directional: every cation is attracted to every nearby anion.
What is writing names and formulas?Show answer
Binary ionic compound = a metal cation + a non-metal anion. The anion takes the -ide suffix (chloride, oxide, sulfide, nitride).
What is drawing electrons as static dots in a metallic lattice?Show answer
They are delocalised, not paired between specific atoms. The sea description is essential.
What is saying ionic compounds conduct in the solid state?Show answer
They do not. Ions are fixed in the lattice. Only molten or dissolved ionic compounds conduct.
What is forgetting brackets around polyatomic ions?Show answer
Calcium nitrate is Ca(NO3)2, not CaNO32 or CaN2O6.
What is missing Roman numerals for transition metals?Show answer
Iron forms Fe^2+ and Fe^3+. The compound name must specify which (iron(II) chloride vs iron(III) chloride).
What is not reducing to lowest ratio?Show answer
Mg^2+ and O^2- cross-over gives Mg2O2; reduce to MgO.
What is using crossing-over without checking ratios?Show answer
For Al^3+ and N^3- crossing over gives Al3N3, which reduces to AlN. The check (positive total + negative total = 0) avoids miscounting.