Ionic bonding teaching resources


When introducing the very abstract concept of ionic bonding, it can be useful to show students an ionic substance being made. In this clip, students see sodium metal and chlorine gas reacting vigorously to form a new substance: sodium chloride. The reaction sets the scene to introduce this new ‘type’ of substance and to begin thinking about how the particles within it are arranged and held together. Find out more about physical properties of ionic substances

Atom or ion?


Ionic dot and cross diagrams


Properties of ionic substances – building ionic lattices


Tests for ions

Click here for resources to help teach tests for ions


  1. Bonding and physical properties
  2. Covalent bonding
  3. Intermolecular forces
  4. Ionic bonding
  5. Metallic bonding