Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic key terms

ionic bond

In Chemical bonds, ionic bond means attraction between oppositely charged ions. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to identify ionic bonding as attraction between oppositely charged ions. Use ionic bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

oppositely charged ions

In Chemical bonds, oppositely charged ions means ions that have opposite electrical charges, leading to ionic bonding. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to identify ionic bonding as attraction between oppositely charged ions. Use oppositely charged ions only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

covalent bond

In Chemical bonds, covalent bond means attraction involving atoms that share pairs of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to identify covalent bonding as attraction involving atoms that share pairs of electrons. Use covalent bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

shared electron pairs

In Chemical bonds, shared electron pairs means the chemistry idea used to identify covalent bonding as attraction involving atoms that share pairs of electrons. Use this term specifically in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic when explaining this objective, so it is not confused with a broader bonding, structure, or materials term.

metallic bond

In Chemical bonds, metallic bond means attraction involving metal atoms and delocalised electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to identify metallic bonding as attraction involving metal atoms and delocalised electrons. Use metallic bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

delocalised electron

An electron that is not associated with a specific atom and can move freely within a metallic structure.

ionic compound

A giant structure formed from the combination of metals and non-metals, consisting of oppositely charged ions.

metal

An element that typically loses electrons to form positive ions when reacting with non-metals.

covalent bond

In Chemical bonds, covalent bond means attraction involving atoms that share pairs of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to state that covalent substances usually involve non-metal atoms. Use covalent bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

non-metal

An element that usually does not form positive ions and is typically involved in covalent bonding.

metallic bond

In Chemical bonds, metallic bond means attraction involving metal atoms and delocalised electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to state that metallic bonding occurs in metallic elements and alloys. Use metallic bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

alloy

In Chemical bonds, alloy means a mixture of two or more elements, where at least one is a metal. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to state that metallic bonding occurs in metallic elements and alloys. Use alloy only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

electrostatic force

In Chemical bonds, electrostatic force means the attraction between oppositely charged ions in ionic bonding. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to explain chemical bonding in terms of electrostatic forces and electron transfer or electron sharing. Use electrostatic force only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

electron transfer

The process by which electrons are moved from one atom to another during ionic bonding.

ionic bonding

In Chemical bonds, ionic bonding means attraction between oppositely charged ions. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to compare ionic, covalent and metallic bonding without treating the three bonding models as interchangeable. Use ionic bonding only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

covalent bonding

In Chemical bonds, covalent bonding means attraction involving atoms that share pairs of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to compare ionic, covalent and metallic bonding without treating the three bonding models as interchangeable. Use covalent bonding only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

metal atom

An atom that typically loses outer-shell electrons to form positive ions when reacting with non-metals.

outer-shell electrons

Electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in chemical bonding.

non-metal

In Ionic bonding, non-metal means an element that usually gains electrons during chemical reactions. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to describe how a non-metal atom gains electrons when reacting with a metal atom. Use non-metal only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

electron gain

In Ionic bonding, electron gain means the process by which a non-metal atom acquires one or more electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to describe how a non-metal atom gains electrons when reacting with a metal atom. Use electron gain only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

positive ion

In Ionic bonding, positive ion means a positively charged ion formed when a metal atom loses one or more electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to explain that metal atoms form positive ions and non-metal atoms form negative ions. Use positive ion only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

negative ion

In Ionic bonding, negative ion means the chemistry idea used to explain that metal atoms form positive ions and non-metal atoms form negative ions. Use this term specifically in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic when explaining this objective, so it is not confused with a broader bonding, structure, or materials term.

noble gas electronic structure

The electron arrangement of noble gases, characterized by a full outer shell of electrons, which is stable and unreactive.

Group 1 ion

An ion formed when a Group 1 metal atom loses one electron, resulting in a positive charge.

dot and cross diagram

A diagram that represents the transfer of electrons between atoms in ionic bonding, showing the electrons of each atom as dots or crosses.

ionic compound

A giant structure formed from the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

group number

The number that indicates the column of the periodic table where an element is located, which helps determine the charge on its ions.

ion charge

The electrical charge of an ion, which is determined by the loss or gain of electrons during the formation of the ion.

simple ion

In Ionic bonding, simple ion means an ion formed when an atom loses or gains electrons, resulting in a net charge. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to explain why the charge on a simple ion is linked to electron loss or electron gain. Use simple ion only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

electron loss

The process by which an atom loses one or more electrons, resulting in a positive charge.

dot and cross diagram

A diagram that represents the transfer of electrons between atoms in ionic bonding.

electron transfer

The process by which electrons move from one atom to another during ionic bonding.

ionic compound

In Ionic compounds, ionic compound means a giant structure formed from a lattice of oppositely charged ions. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to describe an ionic compound as a giant structure of oppositely charged ions. Use ionic compound only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

ionic lattice

A three-dimensional structure where strong electrostatic attractions act in all directions between oppositely charged ions.

electrostatic attraction

The force that attracts oppositely charged ions towards each other in an ionic lattice.

ionic lattice

A three-dimensional structure formed by a regular arrangement of oppositely charged ions.

ionic compound

A giant structure of oppositely charged ions held together by strong electrostatic attractions.

ionic structure

A representation that shows the arrangement of ions in an ionic compound, often depicted using diagrams.

dot and cross diagram

A visual representation showing the transfer of electrons between atoms in ionic compounds.

giant ionic structure

A large lattice arrangement of oppositely charged ions held together by strong electrostatic attractions.

ball and stick diagram

A model used to represent the arrangement of atoms in a molecule, showing bonds as sticks and atoms as balls.

giant ionic structure

A large lattice arrangement of oppositely charged ions held together by strong electrostatic forces.

two-dimensional diagram

A flat representation that shows the arrangement of ions in a giant ionic structure but lacks depth.

three-dimensional diagram

A representation that illustrates the spatial arrangement of ions in a giant ionic structure, providing a more accurate depiction than two-dimensional diagrams.

ionic compound

In Ionic compounds, ionic compound means a giant structure formed from oppositely charged ions. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to work out the empirical formula of an ionic compound from a model or diagram of its ions. Use ionic compound only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

empirical formula

In Ionic compounds, empirical formula means the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to work out the empirical formula of an ionic compound from a model or diagram of its ions. Use empirical formula only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

sodium chloride

In Ionic compounds, sodium chloride means a common example of a giant ionic lattice formed from sodium and chloride ions. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to use sodium chloride as the familiar example of a giant ionic lattice without needing other specific ionic structures. Use sodium chloride only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

giant ionic lattice

A three-dimensional structure of oppositely charged ions held together by strong electrostatic forces.

covalent bond

In Covalent bonding, covalent bond means a bond formed when atoms share pairs of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to describe covalent bonding as atoms sharing pairs of electrons. Use covalent bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

shared electron pairs

In Covalent bonding, shared electron pairs means electrons that are shared between two atoms to form a covalent bond. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to describe covalent bonding as atoms sharing pairs of electrons. Use shared electron pairs only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

covalent bond

In Covalent bonding, covalent bond means a strong attraction between atoms that share pairs of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to explain that covalent bonds between atoms are strong. Use covalent bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

strong attraction

In Covalent bonding, strong attraction means the chemistry idea used to explain that covalent bonds between atoms are strong. Use this term specifically in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic when explaining this objective, so it is not confused with a broader bonding, structure, or materials term.

small molecule

In Covalent bonding, small molecule means a molecule that consists of a small number of atoms covalently bonded together. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to recognise common small molecules from their chemical formulae. Use small molecule only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

chemical formula

A representation of a substance using symbols for its constituent elements and numbers to indicate the ratio of atoms.

polymer

A large molecule formed by the repeated linking of smaller units called monomers through covalent bonds.

covalent substance

In Covalent bonding, covalent substance means a material composed of molecules formed by atoms sharing pairs of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to recognise that some covalent substances form very large molecules such as polymers. Use covalent substance only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

giant covalent structure

A large network of atoms bonded together by covalent bonds, such as diamond or silicon dioxide.

covalent bond

In Covalent bonding, covalent bond means a strong attraction between atoms that share pairs of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to recognise that some covalent substances form giant covalent structures such as diamond and silicon dioxide. Use covalent bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

dot and cross diagram

A visual representation showing the sharing of electron pairs between atoms in covalent bonding.

covalent bond

In Covalent bonding, covalent bond means a chemical bond formed when two atoms share pairs of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to draw dot and cross diagrams for hydrogen, chlorine, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen chloride, water, ammonia and methane. Use covalent bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

covalent bond

In Covalent bonding, covalent bond means a bond formed when atoms share pairs of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to represent single covalent bonds in small molecules using lines. Use covalent bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

small molecule

In Covalent bonding, small molecule means a molecule that consists of a small number of atoms covalently bonded together. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to represent single covalent bonds in small molecules using lines. Use small molecule only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

covalent bond

In Covalent bonding, covalent bond means a bond formed when atoms share pairs of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to represent covalent bonding in repeating units of polymers using lines and brackets where appropriate. Use covalent bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

polymer

In Covalent bonding, polymer means a large molecule composed of repeating structural units connected by covalent bonds. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to represent covalent bonding in repeating units of polymers using lines and brackets where appropriate. Use polymer only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

giant covalent structure

A large network of atoms bonded together by covalent bonds throughout the entire structure.

single bond

In Covalent bonding, single bond means a covalent bond formed when two atoms share one pair of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to represent part of a giant covalent structure using lines for single bonds. Use single bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

dot and cross diagram

A diagram that represents the sharing of electron pairs between atoms in covalent bonding.

ball and stick diagram

A model that shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule using balls to represent atoms and sticks to represent bonds.

molecular formula

In Covalent bonding, molecular formula means a representation of a molecule that shows the number and type of atoms present. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to deduce a molecular formula from a model or diagram showing atoms and bonds. Use molecular formula only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

dot and cross diagram

A visual representation used to show the arrangement of electrons in covalent bonding.

small molecule

In Covalent bonding, small molecule means a molecule consisting of a small number of atoms covalently bonded together. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to distinguish small molecules, polymers and giant covalent structures from bonding diagrams. Use small molecule only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

giant covalent structure

A large network of atoms bonded together by covalent bonds throughout the entire structure.

metallic bonding

In Metallic bonding, metallic bonding means strong attraction involving metal atoms and delocalised electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to describe metals as giant structures of atoms in a regular arrangement. Use metallic bonding only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

giant metallic structure

In Metallic bonding, giant metallic structure means a large arrangement of metal atoms in a regular pattern. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to describe metals as giant structures of atoms in a regular arrangement. Use giant metallic structure only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

delocalised electrons

Electrons in a metallic structure that are free to move throughout the lattice, contributing to conductivity.

metallic bonding

The strong attraction between positively charged metal ions and delocalised electrons in a metallic structure.

delocalised electron

An electron in a metallic structure that is free to move throughout the lattice, contributing to electrical conductivity.

metallic bonding

The strong attraction between positively charged metal ions and delocalised electrons in a metallic structure.

metallic bonding

In Metallic bonding, metallic bonding means strong attraction involving metal atoms and delocalised electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to describe metallic bonding as strong attraction involving metal atoms and delocalised electrons. Use metallic bonding only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

delocalised electron

an electron in a metallic structure that is free to move throughout the lattice.

metallic giant structure

A large arrangement of metal atoms held together by metallic bonding, characterized by a regular pattern.

bonding diagram

A visual representation that illustrates the arrangement of atoms and the nature of bonding in a substance.

metallic bonding

In Metallic bonding, metallic bonding means strong attraction involving metal atoms and delocalised electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to use a metallic bonding diagram to explain why metals are not simple molecules. Use metallic bonding only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

delocalised electron

an outer-shell electron in metals that is free to move throughout the metallic structure.