Giant ionic structures
I can describe how metal and non-metal ions bond together to form giant ionic structures.
Giant ionic structures
I can describe how metal and non-metal ions bond together to form giant ionic structures.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Salts form ionic structures because they contain metal and non-metal ions.
- In an ionic structure each positive ion attracts the negative ions and vice-versa.
- Metal ions attract all non-metal ions and vice-versa, they bond to the opposite charged ions that are closest.
- An ionic bond is the electrostatic force of attraction between oppositely-charged ions acting in all directions.
- Ionic substances are 3D lattices with regular arrangements of ions ( in a repeating pattern of +ve and -ve charge).
Keywords
Ionic bond - the electrostatic force of attraction between oppositely-charged ions acting in all directions
Ball-and-stick model - used to represent the atoms and bonds in a chemical compound
Lattice - the regular arrangement of atoms or ions in a 3D space
Common misconception
That the ionic bond is the transfer of electrons and not the electrostatic forces of attraction between the ions. The ball and stick model implies that there is a physical link between the ions.
Ensure that students have a good understanding of how ions are formed and that ionic bond forms when oppostive ions attract; before moving on to dot and cross diagrams for binary ionic substances.
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: Giant ionic structures, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: Giant ionic structures, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Structure and bonding unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
The electrostatic force of attraction between oppositely-charged ions.
The regular arrangement of atoms or ions in a 3D space.
A compound normally containing a metal ion and a non–metal ion.
An atom or molecule with charge due to the gain or loss of electrons.

