Day 5: Metals, Ionic Compounds

Here we explore how different kinds of attractions among atoms can lead to substances with different properties. In a metal, valence electrons spread out over many atomic nuclei (including their core electrons), attracting the metal atoms so that a solid or liquid metal forms. In an ionic compound electrons lost by a metal atom to form a positive ion are gained by a nonmetal atom (or several atoms) to form negative ions. Because positive charges attract negative charges, the ions are attracted into a solid crystal lattice that is lower in energy and therefore stable. Knowing the number of valence electrons in a metal or the charges and sizes of ions in a crystal lattice, we can predict properties such as melting points.

Here are links to all sections of the work for Day Five. Be sure to complete them before your whole-class meeting.

D5.1 Forces Between Atoms

D5.2 Metals

D5.3 Ionic Compounds

D5.4 Lattice Energy

D5.5 Properties of Ionic Compounds

Day Five Podia Problem