Ionic bonding — KCSE Chemistry

KCSE Chemistry · 60 practice questions · 4 syllabus objectives

30 easy17 medium13 hard

What You'll Learn

Key learning outcomes for this topic, aligned to the KNEC KCSE syllabus.

Explain the formation of ionic bonds by transfer of electrons using dot-and-cross diagrams

Relate the properties of ionic compounds (high melting point, solubility, electrical conductivity) to their structure

Write formulae of ionic compounds given the ions involved

Ionic bonding

Sample Questions

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1
easySHORT ANSWER4 marks

Describe the formation of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) from its constituent elements. Include a dot-and-cross diagram in your answer.

View Marking Scheme
Part (a) — 1 mark
Sodium (Na) atom loses 1 electron(s) to Bromine (Br) atom to form ions (1 mk)
Part (b) — 1 mark
Sodium (Na) forms Ca²⁺ ion (positive); Bromine (Br) forms O²⁻ ion (negative) (1 mk)
Part (c) — 2 marks
High melting point — due to strong electrostatic forces between oppositely charged ions in the lattice (1 mk)
Conducts electricity when molten or in aqueous solution — ions are free to move and carry charge (1 mk)
2
easySHORT ANSWER4 marks

Describe the formation of sodium chloride (NaCl) from its constituent elements. Include a dot-and-cross diagram in your answer.

View Marking Scheme
Part (a) — 1 mark
Sodium (Na) atom loses 1 electron(s) to Oxygen (O) atom to form ions (1 mk)
Part (b) — 1 mark
Sodium (Na) forms Mg²⁺ ion (positive); Oxygen (O) forms Cl⁻ ion (negative) (1 mk)
Part (c) — 2 marks
High melting point — due to strong electrostatic forces between oppositely charged ions in the lattice (1 mk)
Conducts electricity when molten or in aqueous solution — ions are free to move and carry charge (1 mk)
3
easySHORT ANSWER4 marks

Describe the formation of sodium chloride (NaCl) from its constituent elements. Include a dot-and-cross diagram in your answer.

View Marking Scheme
Part (a) — 1 mark
Magnesium (Mg) atom loses 1 electron(s) to Oxygen (O) atom to form ions (1 mk)
Part (b) — 1 mark
Magnesium (Mg) forms Ca²⁺ ion (positive); Oxygen (O) forms Cl⁻ ion (negative) (1 mk)
Part (c) — 2 marks
High melting point — due to strong electrostatic forces between oppositely charged ions in the lattice (1 mk)
Conducts electricity when molten or in aqueous solution — ions are free to move and carry charge (1 mk)
4

Describe the formation of sodium chloride (NaCl) from its constituent elements. Include a dot-and-cross diagram in your answer.

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