Ionic Bonding Puzzle Activity Answer Key ((better)) Jun 2026

Nature requires that macro-scale chemical structures remain electrically neutral. The total positive charge contributed by the metal cations must exactly balance out the total negative charge brought by the non-metal anions.

The ionic bonding puzzle successfully demonstrates that . The ratio of ions is determined by the lowest common multiple of their charges. Cations (metals, positive) and anions (nonmetals or polyatomic ions, negative) combine until total charge = 0. The chemical formula is a shorthand for that ratio. ionic bonding puzzle activity answer key

| Metal Ion | Nonmetal Ion | Ratio (Metal:Nonmetal) | Chemical Formula | Compound Name | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Na⁺ | Cl⁻ | 1:1 | NaCl | Sodium chloride | | K⁺ | Br⁻ | 1:1 | KBr | Potassium bromide | | Mg²⁺ | Cl⁻ | 1:2 | MgCl₂ | Magnesium chloride | | Ca²⁺ | O²⁻ | 1:1 | CaO | Calcium oxide | | Al³⁺ | F⁻ | 1:3 | AlF₃ | Aluminum fluoride | | Al³⁺ | O²⁻ | 2:3 | Al₂O₃ | Aluminum oxide | The ratio of ions is determined by the

Here are some example puzzle pieces: