There are many examples of ionic compounds in everyday life. Ionic compounds consist of atoms joined together by ionic bonds. Many ionic compounds are binary compounds formed by a metal and a nonmetal. However, sometimes ionic compounds form between polyatomic cations and anions that contain covalently-bonded atoms. The most common and familiar ionic compound is table salt, NaCl. But, there are many other ionic compounds around you. Here are examples of ionic compounds in everyday life.
| Ionic Compound | Name | Use |
| NaCl | sodium chloride | table salt |
| NaHCO3 | sodium bicarbonate | baking soda |
| Na2CO3 | sodium carbonate | washing soda |
| MgSO4 | magnesium sulfate | Epsom salt |
| KCl | potassium chloride | no-sodium salt |
| NaOCl | sodium hypochlorite | chlorine bleach |
| NaF | sodium fluoride | fluoride in toothpaste |
| CaCO3 | calcium carbonate | antacid ingredient |
| NaOH | sodium hydroxide | lye, drain cleaner |
| Mg(OH)2 | magnesium hydroxide | antacid ingredient |
| K2HPO4 | dipotassium phosphate | plant fertilizer, food additive |
| Na2HPO4 | disodium hydrogen phosphate | water softener, anti-caking agent in powdered goods |
| Na2SO3 | sodium sulfite | food preservative |
| Al(OH)3 | aluminum hydroxide | antacid ingredient |
| MgCl2 | magnesium chloride | road salt for ice control |
Covalent and Ionic Compound Worksheet
Download and print this PDF worksheet and answer key that asks names of compounds and whether they are covalent or ionic.
References
- Brown, Theodore L.; LeMay, H. Eugene, Jr; Bursten, Bruce E.; Lanford, Steven; Sagatys, Dalius; Duffy, Neil (2009). Chemistry: The Central Science: A Broad Perspective (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: Pearson Australia. ISBN 978-1-4425-1147-7.
- International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Division of Chemical Nomenclature (2005). Neil G. Connelly (ed.). Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry: IUPAC Recommendations 2005 (New ed.). Cambridge: RSC Publ. ISBN 978-0-85404-438-2.
- Wenk, Hans-Rudolph; Bulakh, Andrei (2004). Minerals: Their Constitution and Origin (1st ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-39390-5.
- Zumdahl, Steven; Zumdahl, Susan (2015). Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach. Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-1-305-68804-9.