One atom gains electrons while
another atom loses electrons.
When this happens, the charges within each
atom are no longer balanced.
The atoms have become ions - one with a
positive charge, the other with a negative charge.
The force of attraction between these
opposite charges holds the ions together in an ionic bond.
Ionization - the
process of removing an electron from an atom to form an ion.
Ionization energy - the
energy needed to remove an electron from an atom. For this to occur, the
attraction between the negatively charged electron and the positively
charged nucleus must be overcome.
Electron affinity - the
tendency of an atom to attract electrons. This characteristic determines
the type of bond formed between atoms.
- Metals generally have a low electron
affinity.
- Nonmetals generally have a high
electron affinity.
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