Sciencemadness Discussion Board

About ions...(Quite challenged to answer, I think)

albertlee - 4-4-2004 at 06:58

Hello,

My question is quite simple:
HOW DO COMPOUND IONS FORM?
i really want to know about the certainty of the formation about compound ions....

thx for the reply

Blind Angel - 4-4-2004 at 07:22

I'll do the exemple with water, you see water is polar, it has a part more positive than the other. So the water molecule gather around the molecule to get ionised, givint it enough strengh to separate from the other, thus liberating an ion. I'll admit that it's not the best explanation that could be given, but without image or chemistry background is pretty hard to explain.

albertlee - 4-4-2004 at 09:11

Thx Blind Angel

but i still need a complete answer

Any help?:o

How Complete?

Turel - 4-4-2004 at 10:15

How much time you got? This is not a simple question, and for a detailed answer, requires one to understand a few other more basic foundations first. If you got the time and/or the basic knowledge, I will write (or someone else if they beat me to it) an extremely detailed subatomic perspective.

Blind Angel - 4-4-2004 at 13:00

I would like to hear this answer too

Sure

Turel - 4-4-2004 at 15:16

Writing it now. Beware, it starts very very small, and is likely going to be quite long, so I hope your interest is not waning, or you may not make it through the journey. :D

Hardy - 12-4-2004 at 04:37

i'm in for it too

4s2 - 12-4-2004 at 07:53

go read up on atomic structure and electrons before Turel gets its typed up.

you will need to know a little bit about electron orbitals/energy levels and the shapes of bonds.

Some sticky things that are difficult to grasp are the electron energy levels, if you have never had any knowledge behind it, you can use the Bohr model for now. I say that only becuase the Quantum Mechanical Model involves about 4 times as much to try and grasp, but it really explains why electrons sit at the energy levels that they do, and how they move. I dont think gen chem classes even teach it becuase of the math involved. anyway, the important part of electron levels, is the Valence electrons (these are in the highest energy level, usualy the s and p orbitals (I have never seen one that wasnt, but I imagine it could happen with some strange condition in the f orbital.

Electrons are negative. Protons are positive. :) the center of the nucleus which is made up of protons and nuetrons(no charge) is a positive pulling force. The electrons having the negative charge are pulled on, making it difficult to free or lose electrons, but the electrons in the furthest energy level are a lot easyer that basicaly the idea of a valence electron.

and bonds... well its harder than hell to try and explain a tetrahedral model with text. a good book or online suplement will do just fine.