In science lessons you will learn that metals and non-metals form salts through ionic bonding. However, did you know these amazing facts about salt!
The Bible contains more than 30 references to salt, including the expression “salt of the earth”. People who are described as ‘the salt of the earth’ are considered to be honest and reliable. Offering bread and salt to visitors is considered good etiquette in some cultures. The bread symbolises never being hungry, and the salt represents life always having flavour. In ancient Japan, salt would be sprinkled on the stage at theatres before performances. They believed that the salt would drive evil spirits away and protect the actors. To this day sumo wrestlers will throw salt at the start of a match to purify themselves, and the space they are in!
Salt is everywhere. 70% of the surface of the planet is covered in oceans, containing tonnes of salt. Salt pans, or salt flats, are areas where the water has evaporated, leaving behind expanses of land covered in salt. These appear white, and from a distance can even look like snow. The world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni is 4,000 square miles. When a thin layer of water lies on top of it, it becomes mirrorlike, reflecting the sky perfectly. It also contains huge amounts of lithium, the element responsible for powering laptops and smart phones!
GCSE scientists – you need to be able to explain which salts are made when metal and non metal ions form salts through ionic bonding. You also need to be able to describe the structure and properties of these ionic compounds. In addition you must explain why they have these properties. If you need some help, check out our new “How to work with Ionic Bonding: Part 2” guide. It covers these areas, and includes questions for you to try, along with answers to check your understanding.
Click on the picture below to see the guide.
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