Ionic Bonding Chemistry Worksheets - Free Printable

Here is the completed worksheet with all blanks filled in, followed by a detailed explanation of each answer.

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Completed Worksheet:

CHEMICAL BONDS
Ionic Bonding

Metals and non-metals react together to form ionic compounds. They are held together by ionic bonds. Ionic bonding is a force of electrostatic attraction between two oppositely charged atoms (called ions). An atom becomes charged by either donating or accepting valence electrons from another atom. A valence electron is one from the outermost shell of the atom.

If an atom donates an electron, it becomes positively charged. This is then called a cation. Metals always donate electrons. If an atom accepts an electron, it becomes negatively charged. This is called an anion. Non-metals always accept electrons.

Atoms do this in order to become ‘stable’. A stable atom is one which has obtained a full outer shell of electrons.

*How do we know which atoms donate and which accept electrons?*

Sodium has one lone electron in the outer shell. It is easiest for this atom to lose one electron than to try and find seven more to fill the outer shell.

Chlorine has seven electrons in its outer shell. Therefore, it is easiest for Chlorine to gain one electron than to try and donate seven.

All metals donate electrons and therefore become cations.
All non-metals accept electrons and therefore become anions.

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## 🔍 Explanation of Each Answer:

1. "Metals and non-metals react together to form ______ compounds."

→ Answer: ionic
*Explanation:* When metals (which tend to lose electrons) react with non-metals (which tend to gain electrons), they form ionic compounds through electron transfer.

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2. "Ionic bonding is a force of ______ attraction between two ______ atoms (called ______)."

→ Answers: electrostatic, oppositely charged, ions
*Explanation:* Ionic bonds result from the electrostatic (positive-negative) attraction between ions — atoms that have gained or lost electrons and thus carry a charge.

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3. "An atom becomes charged by either donating or accepting ______ electrons..."

→ Answer: valence
*Explanation:* Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell — these are the ones involved in chemical reactions and bonding.

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4. "A valence electron is one from the ______ shell of the atom."

→ Answer: outermost
*Explanation:* The outermost shell holds the valence electrons, which determine how an atom will bond.

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5. "If an atom ______ an electron, it becomes positively charged. This is then called a ______."

→ Answers: donates, cation
*Explanation:* Losing an electron removes a negative charge, leaving the atom with a net positive charge → cation.

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6. "______ always donate electrons."

→ Answer: Metals
*Explanation:* Metals have few valence electrons (usually 1–3), so they tend to lose them to achieve stability.

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7. "If an atom accepts an electron, it becomes ______ charged. This is called an ______."

→ Answers: negatively, anion
*Explanation:* Gaining an electron adds a negative charge → anion.

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8. "Atoms do this in order to become ‘______’."

→ Answer: stable
*Explanation:* Atoms seek stability by achieving a full outer electron shell (often 8 electrons = octet rule).

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9. "A stable atom is one which has obtained a ______ ______ ______ of electrons."

→ Answer: full outer shell
*Explanation:* Stability is achieved when the outermost shell is complete — usually 8 electrons (except for hydrogen/helium, which need 2).

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10. Sodium section: "Sodium has ______ lone electron... to ______ one electron..."

→ Answers: one, lose
*Explanation:* Sodium (Na) has atomic number 11 → electron configuration: 2-8-1. Only 1 valence electron → easier to lose 1 than gain 7.

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11. Chlorine section: "Chlorine has ______ electrons... to ______ one electron..."

→ Answers: seven, gain
*Explanation:* Chlorine (Cl) has atomic number 17 → electron configuration: 2-8-7. Needs 1 more to complete octet → gains 1 electron.

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12. "All ______ donate electrons... All ______ accept electrons..."

→ Answers: metals, non-metals
*Explanation:* General rule: metals → lose e⁻ → cations; non-metals → gain e⁻ → anions.

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✔ Summary:
This worksheet teaches the basics of ionic bonding — how metals and non-metals transfer electrons to form oppositely charged ions that attract each other. The goal is stability via a full outer shell. Sodium (metal) loses 1 electron → Na⁺. Chlorine (non-metal) gains 1 electron → Cl⁻. Together, they form NaCl (table salt), an ionic compound.

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