Key Trends in Ionic Bonding Across the Periodic Table

Let’s explore some important ideas about ionic bonding. These trends show how different things change across the periodic table.

1. Ionic Character:

   • Ionic character is how much an atom acts like an ion.
   • This increases as you move from left to right across a row. This happens because atoms get better at attracting electrons.
   • But if you go down a column, ionic character decreases. This is because the atoms get bigger, which makes it harder to pull electrons in.

2. Lattice Energy:

   • Lattice energy is a measure of how strong the bond is between ions.
   • This energy goes up when the charges on the ions are higher and when the ions are smaller.
   • For example, the lattice energy of sodium chloride (NaCl) is -788 kJ/mol.
   • In comparison, magnesium oxide (MgO) has a lattice energy of -3895 kJ/mol, showing a much stronger bond.

3. Melting and Boiling Points:

   • The melting and boiling points of ionic compounds usually go higher as you move across a row. This happens because the ionic bonds get stronger.
   • For instance, sodium chloride (NaCl) melts at 801°C.
   • On the other hand, magnesium oxide (MgO) melts at a much higher temperature of 2852°C.

These trends help us understand how ionic compounds behave and why some are stronger or melt at different temperatures.