Learners see how electrons are transferred in the bonding of NaCl. They then create models of NaCl using styrofoam balls and toothpicks to assist them in explaining the formation of ions and ionic bonding. 

Watch budding chemists interact with the resource on chemical interactions. In the unit, six lessons provide an overview of basic chemistry, from understanding the development of atomic theory to distinguishing between ionic and covalent...

Students discover the concept that two atoms can attract and form a covalent bond.

Discover how covalent molecular bonding affects the energy levels of electrons.

Students discover that ionic bonding occurs when electrons are transferred from one atom to the other and not shared as in covalent bonding.

Six middle school chemistry lessons about the periodic table and bonding complete with handouts and animations.

Students draw and interpret Lewis dot diagrams for individual atoms and both covalent and ionic compounds.