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Ion Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Ions: Fundamental Concepts, Formation, and Chemical Behavior

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Ions: Fundamental Concepts, Formation, and Chemical Behavior Study Guide

Fundamentals of Ion Chemistry

An ion is an atom or molecule with an equal number of electrons and protons, resulting in a net electrical charge.

Answer: False

Explanation: An ion is defined by an *unequal* number of electrons and protons, which results in a net electrical charge. If the numbers were equal, the atom or molecule would be electrically neutral.

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The net electrical charge of an ion is determined by the imbalance between its total number of electrons and its total number of protons.

Answer: True

Explanation: The net electrical charge of an ion is precisely the difference between the number of protons (positive charges) and electrons (negative charges). An imbalance results in a net positive or negative charge.

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In chemical formulas, the magnitude '1' for a singly charged ion is always explicitly written (e.g., Na1+).

Answer: False

Explanation: For singly charged ions, the magnitude '1' is conventionally omitted in chemical formulas; for example, it is written as Na+ rather than Na1+.

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What is the defining characteristic of an ion?

Answer: It is an atom or molecule that possesses a net electrical charge.

Explanation: The fundamental definition of an ion is an atom or molecule that carries a net electrical charge due to an imbalance between its protons and electrons.

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How is the net charge of a doubly charged cation typically written in a chemical formula?

Answer: 2+

Explanation: In chemical formulas, the magnitude of the charge is placed before the sign for charges greater than one (e.g., 2+ for a doubly charged cation).

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What is the net electric charge on an ion equal to?

Answer: The number of protons in the ion minus the number of electrons.

Explanation: The net electric charge on an ion is calculated by subtracting the total number of electrons (negative charges) from the total number of protons (positive charges).

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Historical Context and Key Discoveries

The term 'ion' was coined by William Whewell in 1834, based on the Greek word 'ienai'.

Answer: False

Explanation: While William Whewell suggested the term 'ion', it was Michael Faraday who introduced it in 1834. The term is indeed based on the Greek word 'ienai'.

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Svante Arrhenius won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for explaining that solid crystalline salts dissociate into paired charged particles even without an electric current.

Answer: True

Explanation: Svante Arrhenius's 1884 dissertation proposed that solid crystalline salts dissociate into ions when dissolved, even without an electric current, a theory for which he received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1903.

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Michael Faraday initially understood ions as precisely defined charged atoms, which he named during electrolysis.

Answer: False

Explanation: Michael Faraday coined the term 'ion' but did not initially understand their precise nature as charged atoms. He observed them as moving substances conveying matter during electrolysis.

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From which Greek word and meaning was 'ion' coined?

Answer: 'ienai', meaning 'to go'

Explanation: The term 'ion' is derived from the Greek word 'ienai', meaning 'to go', reflecting the movement of these charged particles during electrolysis.

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Who introduced the term 'ion' in 1834?

Answer: Michael Faraday

Explanation: Michael Faraday introduced the term 'ion' in 1834, following a suggestion from William Whewell.

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What was Michael Faraday's initial understanding of the species he named 'ions'?

Answer: He knew they were moving substances conveying matter during electrolysis, but not their precise nature.

Explanation: Faraday observed the movement of these species during electrolysis and named them 'ions' based on their 'going' nature, without a precise understanding of their atomic structure or charge.

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Who coined the terms 'anode,' 'cathode,' 'anion,' and 'cation'?

Answer: William Whewell

Explanation: William Whewell, in correspondence with Michael Faraday, coined the terms 'anode,' 'cathode,' 'anion,' and 'cation' to describe the electrodes and the ions attracted to them.

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What was Svante Arrhenius's key contribution regarding ions in solution?

Answer: He explained that solid crystalline salts dissociate into charged particles even without an electric current.

Explanation: Svante Arrhenius's key contribution was his theory that solid crystalline salts dissociate into charged particles (ions) when dissolved in a solution, even in the absence of an electric current.

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Mechanisms of Ion Formation

Monatomic ions are formed by the gain or loss of electrons from the innermost electron shells of an atom.

Answer: False

Explanation: Monatomic ions are formed by the gain or loss of electrons from the *valence shell* (outermost electron shell) of an atom, not the tightly bound inner shells.

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The process of ionization involves a neutral atom or molecule gaining or losing protons, leading to a net electrical charge.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ionization is the process of gaining or losing *electrons* from a neutral atom or molecule, not protons. Changes in the number of protons would change the element itself.

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The transfer of electrons during chemical ionization is primarily driven by atoms seeking to achieve unstable, high-energy electronic configurations.

Answer: False

Explanation: Electron transfer during chemical ionization is primarily driven by atoms or molecules seeking to attain *stable*, 'closed shell' electronic configurations, which typically requires the least energy.

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Polyatomic ions are typically formed by directly gaining or losing electrons, as this preserves their stable electronic configuration.

Answer: False

Explanation: Polyatomic ions are usually formed by gaining or losing elemental ions (like H+), rather than directly gaining or losing electrons, to preserve their stable electronic configuration and avoid the instability of radical ions.

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Ions tend to form with full orbital blocks because this electronic configuration is highly stable.

Answer: True

Explanation: Atoms gain or lose electrons to achieve a stable electronic configuration, often resembling a noble gas with full orbital blocks, as this state is energetically favorable.

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Ion pairs in physical ionization consist of a free electron and a corresponding positive ion.

Answer: True

Explanation: During physical ionization in a fluid, an 'ion pair' is indeed formed, consisting of a free electron and the resulting positive ion from which the electron was detached.

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The inner shells of an atom's electrons are typically involved in the formation of monatomic ions.

Answer: False

Explanation: Monatomic ions are formed by the gain or loss of electrons from the *valence shell* (outermost electron shell), as inner-shell electrons are tightly bound and generally do not participate in chemical interactions.

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What constitutes an 'ion pair' created during physical ionization in a fluid?

Answer: A free electron and a corresponding positive ion.

Explanation: During physical ionization in a fluid, an 'ion pair' is formed, consisting of a free electron and the positive ion from which it was detached.

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Besides physical ionization, which of these is a method for creating ions?

Answer: Dissolution of a salt in liquids.

Explanation: Ions can be created through chemical interactions, such as the dissolution of a salt in liquids, in addition to physical ionization processes.

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Where do monatomic ions gain or lose electrons from during chemical formation?

Answer: The valence shell.

Explanation: Monatomic ions are formed by the gain or loss of electrons exclusively from the valence shell, which is the outermost electron shell involved in chemical bonding.

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What is the primary driving force for electron transfer during chemical ionization?

Answer: To attain stable, 'closed shell' electronic configurations.

Explanation: The primary driving force for electron transfer during chemical ionization is the tendency of atoms or molecules to achieve stable, 'closed shell' electronic configurations, which are energetically favorable.

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Why are polyatomic ions typically formed by gaining or losing elemental ions like H+ rather than directly gaining or losing electrons?

Answer: Due to the instability of radical ions, preserving stable electronic configurations.

Explanation: Polyatomic ions often form by gaining or losing elemental ions (like H+) to avoid the formation of unstable radical ions and to maintain stable electronic configurations within the molecular structure.

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What happens to a neutral sodium atom (Na) to become a sodium cation (Na+)?

Answer: It loses an electron.

Explanation: A neutral sodium atom becomes a positively charged sodium cation (Na+) by losing one electron from its valence shell to achieve a stable electron configuration.

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What is the primary reason ions tend to form with full orbital blocks?

Answer: This electronic configuration is highly stable.

Explanation: Ions tend to form with full orbital blocks because this electronic configuration mimics that of noble gases, which is a highly stable and energetically favorable state.

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Classification and Properties of Ions

A cation is an ion that has gained one or more electrons compared to its neutral atomic state, leading to a negative charge.

Answer: False

Explanation: A cation is a positively charged ion formed when an atom *loses* one or more electrons, resulting in fewer electrons than protons. Gaining electrons leads to a negative charge, forming an anion.

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Anions are typically smaller than their parent neutral atoms because they lose electrons, shrinking the electron cloud.

Answer: False

Explanation: Anions are formed by gaining electrons, which increases electron-electron repulsion and expands the electron cloud, making them *larger* than their parent neutral atoms. Cations, by contrast, are smaller due to electron loss.

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The hydrogen cation is unique because it consists solely of a single proton and no electrons.

Answer: True

Explanation: The hydrogen cation (H+) is indeed unique in its composition, being a bare proton without any electrons, which also accounts for its exceptionally small size.

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An ion with a -2 charge is known as a dication, while an ion with a +2 charge is a dianion.

Answer: False

Explanation: An ion with a -2 charge is a dianion, and an ion with a +2 charge is a dication. The question reverses these definitions.

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A zwitterion is a molecule with an overall positive charge but also contains some negative charges within its structure.

Answer: False

Explanation: A zwitterion is a neutral molecule that contains both positive and negative charges at different locations within its structure, resulting in an *overall neutral* charge, not an overall positive charge.

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In a crystal, cations typically occupy most of the space, with anions fitting into the smaller spaces between them.

Answer: False

Explanation: In a crystal lattice, anions are generally larger and occupy most of the space, while the smaller cations fit into the interstitial spaces between them.

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Radical ions are characterized by being very reactive due to the presence of unpaired electrons.

Answer: True

Explanation: The presence of unpaired electrons in radical ions makes them highly reactive, similar to uncharged radicals, as they seek to achieve a more stable electron configuration.

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Oxyanions are polyatomic ions that specifically contain hydrogen and oxygen.

Answer: False

Explanation: Oxyanions are polyatomic ions that contain oxygen, but they do not necessarily contain hydrogen. Examples include carbonate (CO3^2-) and sulfate (SO4^2-).

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When ions move, their trajectories can be deflected by a magnetic field.

Answer: True

Explanation: As charged particles in motion, ions are subject to the Lorentz force, which causes their trajectories to be deflected by a magnetic field.

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Organic ions are molecular ions that must contain at least one carbon-to-oxygen bond.

Answer: False

Explanation: Organic ions are molecular ions that contain at least one carbon-to-*hydrogen* bond, not necessarily a carbon-to-oxygen bond.

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A carbocation is a negatively charged organic ion where the charge is formally centered on a carbon atom.

Answer: False

Explanation: A carbocation is a *positively* charged organic ion where the charge is formally centered on a carbon atom. A negatively charged organic ion centered on carbon is a carbanion.

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How is a cation specifically defined?

Answer: A positively charged ion that has fewer electrons than protons.

Explanation: A cation is defined as a positively charged ion, meaning it has lost one or more electrons, resulting in fewer electrons than protons.

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Which of the following statements accurately describes an anion?

Answer: It is a negatively charged ion that has gained one or more electrons.

Explanation: An anion is a negatively charged ion formed when an atom or molecule gains one or more electrons, leading to an excess of electrons compared to protons.

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How are ions classified if they consist of two or more atoms?

Answer: Polyatomic ions

Explanation: Ions composed of two or more atoms are classified as polyatomic ions, also known as molecular ions.

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How does the gain of electrons affect the size of an atom when it forms an anion?

Answer: The anion becomes larger than the parent atom.

Explanation: When an atom gains electrons to form an anion, the increased electron-electron repulsion expands the electron cloud, making the anion larger than its neutral parent atom.

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What is unique about the hydrogen cation (H+)?

Answer: It consists solely of a single proton and no electrons.

Explanation: The hydrogen cation (H+) is unique because it is composed entirely of a single proton, lacking any electrons, which also makes it exceptionally small.

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What is an ion with a +2 charge called?

Answer: Dication

Explanation: An ion with a +2 charge is specifically termed a dication, while an ion with a -2 charge is a dianion.

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Which statement best describes a zwitterion?

Answer: A neutral molecule possessing both positive and negative charges at different locations.

Explanation: A zwitterion is characterized by having both positive and negative charges within the same molecule, but these charges balance each other, resulting in an overall neutral molecular charge.

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In a typical crystal structure, how do the relative sizes of cations and anions compare?

Answer: Anions are generally large and occupy most of the space, with cations fitting between them.

Explanation: Anions are typically larger than cations, and in crystal structures, they tend to define the overall lattice, with the smaller cations occupying the interstitial sites.

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What defines a radical ion?

Answer: An ion that contains unpaired electrons.

Explanation: A radical ion is distinguished by the presence of unpaired electrons, which typically makes it highly reactive.

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What are oxyanions?

Answer: Polyatomic ions that contain oxygen.

Explanation: Oxyanions are polyatomic ions that are characterized by the presence of oxygen atoms within their structure, such as carbonate or sulfate.

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What is a carbocation?

Answer: A positively charged organic ion centered on a carbon atom.

Explanation: A carbocation is specifically defined as a positively charged organic ion where the formal charge resides on a carbon atom.

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Ions in Solution and Gas Phase

Ions in their gas-like state are highly stable and rarely interact with other ions.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ions in their gas-like state are highly reactive and readily interact with oppositely charged ions to form neutral molecules or ionic salts, seeking a more stable, uncharged state.

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Solvated ions are generally more stable than gas-like ions due to energy and entropy changes when interacting with a liquid.

Answer: True

Explanation: The formation of a solvation shell around ions in a liquid leads to favorable energy and entropy changes, making solvated ions more stable compared to their highly reactive gas-like counterparts.

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Nonpolar liquids are ideal for ion formation because their low dielectric constant strengthens the electrostatic attraction between cations and anions.

Answer: False

Explanation: Nonpolar liquids are *not* ideal for ion formation. Their low dielectric constant *strengthens* the electrostatic attraction between ions, making it harder for them to dissociate and remain separated, unlike in polar solvents like water.

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Dukhin and Parlia's concept suggests that for ions to form in nonpolar liquids, the solute must be amphiphilic, having both hydrophobic and polar parts.

Answer: True

Explanation: According to Dukhin and Parlia, an amphiphilic solute is necessary for ion formation in nonpolar liquids, as its hydrophobic tail ensures solubility and its polar head provides a source for initial ion creation and self-solvation.

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Solvated ions are commonly found in environments with high temperatures, such as volcanic vents.

Answer: False

Explanation: Solvated ions are more commonly found in environments with *low* temperatures, such as seawater, where salts dissolve to form ions surrounded by solvent molecules.

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How do ions in their gas-like state typically behave?

Answer: They rapidly interact with ions of opposite charge to form neutral molecules or ionic salts.

Explanation: Ions in their gas-like state are highly reactive and will quickly interact with oppositely charged ions to achieve a more stable, neutral state by forming molecules or ionic salts.

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Why are solvated ions more stable than gas-like ions?

Answer: Due to energy and entropy changes as they interact with the liquid.

Explanation: Solvated ions gain stability from favorable energy and entropy changes that occur when they interact with a solvent, forming a solvation shell that stabilizes their charge.

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According to Dukhin and Parlia, what characteristic must a solute substance have to form ions in nonpolar liquids?

Answer: It must be amphiphilic, with hydrophobic and polar parts.

Explanation: Dukhin and Parlia's concept posits that for ion formation in nonpolar liquids, the solute must be amphiphilic, possessing both hydrophobic and polar components to facilitate solubility and initial dissociation.

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Which of the following is a characteristic of nonpolar liquids that makes them challenging for ion formation?

Answer: They strengthen the electrostatic attraction between cations and anions.

Explanation: Nonpolar liquids have a low dielectric constant, which means they are less effective at screening electrostatic interactions, thereby strengthening the attraction between ions and making dissociation difficult.

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Ionic Bonding and Chemical Reactivity

Ionic bonding results from the repulsion of oppositely charged ions, leading to a stable crystal lattice.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ionic bonding results from the *mutual attraction* of oppositely charged ions, not repulsion. This attraction leads to the formation of stable crystal lattices.

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Ions usually exist in isolation because their charges prevent them from binding with other ions.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ions of opposite charge attract each other strongly via electrostatic forces. Therefore, they rarely exist in isolation but instead bind together to form stable crystal lattices, minimizing their energy.

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Ionic compounds are most commonly observed in compounds formed between metals and nonmetals, excluding noble gases.

Answer: True

Explanation: Ionic bonding typically occurs between metals, which tend to lose electrons, and nonmetals (excluding noble gases), which tend to gain electrons, forming stable ionic compounds.

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Electropositivity is a property of nonmetals, indicating their strong tendency to gain electrons and form anions.

Answer: False

Explanation: Electropositivity is a property of *metals*, describing their strong tendency to *lose* electrons and form cations. The tendency of nonmetals to gain electrons and form anions is described by electronegativity.

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Electronegativity describes the tendency of nonmetals to gain electrons to achieve a stable electronic configuration, forming anions.

Answer: True

Explanation: Electronegativity is indeed the measure of an atom's tendency to attract and gain electrons, a characteristic of nonmetals that leads to the formation of negatively charged anions to achieve stable electron configurations.

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When a highly electropositive metal combines with a highly electronegative nonmetal, electrons are transferred from the nonmetal to the metal.

Answer: False

Explanation: In such a combination, electrons are transferred from the electropositive metal atoms (which tend to lose electrons) to the electronegative nonmetal atoms (which tend to gain electrons), forming metal cations and nonmetal anions.

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Sodium chloride (NaCl) forms because positively charged sodium cations and negatively charged chloride anions are attracted to each other by ionic bonds.

Answer: True

Explanation: The strong electrostatic attraction between the positively charged sodium cations and negatively charged chloride anions results in the formation of stable ionic bonds, leading to the compound sodium chloride.

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What is the significance of electrostatic force in the context of ions?

Answer: It pulls opposite electric charges towards one another, leading to stable ionic compounds.

Explanation: Electrostatic force is the fundamental attraction between oppositely charged ions, which is the driving force behind the formation of stable ionic compounds.

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What type of bonding arises from the mutual attraction of oppositely charged ions?

Answer: Ionic bonding

Explanation: Ionic bonding is fundamentally characterized by the strong electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, leading to the formation of stable compounds.

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Why do ions typically not exist on their own in isolation?

Answer: Ions of opposite charge attract each other to form stable crystal lattices.

Explanation: Due to strong electrostatic forces, ions of opposite charge are mutually attracted and readily combine to form stable ionic compounds, typically arranged in crystal lattices, rather than existing in isolation.

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In what type of compounds is ionic bonding most commonly observed?

Answer: Compounds formed between metals and nonmetals (excluding noble gases).

Explanation: Ionic bonding is most prevalent in compounds formed between metals, which readily lose electrons, and nonmetals (excluding noble gases), which readily gain electrons, facilitating electron transfer and strong electrostatic attraction.

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What property of metals describes their strong tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions?

Answer: Electropositivity

Explanation: Electropositivity is the characteristic property of metals that describes their strong inclination to lose valence electrons and form positively charged cations.

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What happens when a highly electropositive metal combines with a highly electronegative nonmetal?

Answer: Electrons are transferred from the metal atoms to the nonmetal atoms.

Explanation: In such a combination, the highly electropositive metal readily donates electrons, and the highly electronegative nonmetal readily accepts them, resulting in electron transfer from metal to nonmetal.

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