Ionic Substances

1. Ions form when the charge imbalance between bonded atoms is so large that one or more electrons are basically, transferred from one atom to another.
2. When this happens ions are formed (both positively charge and negatively charged ions).
3. If you put a bunch of positively charged and negatively charged ions in one place the opposite charges tend to attracts strongly to each other forming clusters of ions containing equal amounts of positive charge and negative charge, resulting in a neutral substance.
4. The cluster of ions formed can be of any size as long as there is an equal amount of positive and negative charge. For example, a tiny grain of table salt (NaCl), contains trillions, and trillions of sodium and chlorine ions.
5. We don't call these clusters of ions molecules. Instead they are referred to as crystals. (Any well organized group of ions or even molecules can be referred to as a crystal).
6. Below are some examples of ionic substances: