This digital learning module provides an easily-understood overview of chemical bonding for users with little formal background in chemistry or physics. It explores ionic bonding through the example of sodium (an alkali metal) reacting with chlorine gas to produce common table salt. A concept simulation further illustrates the process.
In this classroom activity, learners construct a wobbly model of a crystal array to investigate the attractive interaction between neighboring atoms in a solid. By using this less traditional model, students explore chemical bonds as analogous to a stretched or compressed spring. Gently shaking the model shows how stored energy can be communicated to the next layer of atoms. Vigorous shaking causes the model to break apart, representing the breaking of chemical bonds.
This Flash interactive tutorial explores ionic bonding—a type of chemical bond formed between two ions with opposite charges. Learners investigate how the transfer of electrons between atoms creates ions and how the mutual attraction of these charged particles forms ionic bonds. It also discusses trends in the periodic table to help learners comprehend how the structure of an ionic compound relates to its formula.
