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Biochemistry POGIL 2
Bonding: What is the difference between ionic and covalent bonds?


The dots indicate the number of valence electrons (found in the outermost shell of the atom).

1. Neon and argon (along with the other elements in their group) are the most stable of the
elements. How many valence electrons create the most stable atoms?


2. How many valence electrons does chlorine have?


3. What is the easiest way for chlorine to attain the stability of argon?



4. What is the charge on chlorine once it has attained this stability?


5. How many valence electrons does sodium have?


6. What is the easiest way for sodium to attain the stability of neon? Hint: Remember there are several
levels of electrons containing eight electrons each.


7. What is the charge on sodium once it has attained this stability?
Note: This periodic table shows only the first twenty
elements. The center and bottom sections of the periodic
table have been eliminated for simplicity.
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8. Why would a sodium ion (a charged atom) be attracted to a chlorine ion?



9. What is the net charge on a molecule containing one sodium ion and one chlorine ion?



Note: There is no difference between the sodium and chlorine electrons. They are drawn with different symbols to
keep track of their origin.

10. The bond formed between a sodium ion and a chlorine ion is an ionic bond. Define ionic
bond.






11. Chlorine often binds to another chlorine atom (Cl
2
). What are the chlorine atoms doing with
their electrons to achieve stability?




12. How many electrons does each chlorine atom appear to have now?



13. The bond formed between the chlorine ions is a covalent bond. Define covalent bond.




14. What is the difference between ionic bonds and covalent bonds?

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