Ion charge match
Ionic compounds are built from charged puzzle pieces that must fit together neutrally. In this memory game you match ions to their charges, then pair cations with anions to build real compounds like sodium chloride and calcium oxide.
How to play
Cards show ion names, symbols, or charges facedown on the board.
Flip two cards; keep the pair if the ion matches its charge.
In compound mode, pair a cation with an anion that balances to neutral.
Wrong pairs flip back; remember their positions.
Clear the board in as few moves as possible.
Scoring
Each correct match earns 20 points. Finishing a board with no misses earns a 100-point perfect bonus. Fewer total flips means a higher efficiency multiplier.
Levels
Starter salts
Common monatomic ions: sodium, chloride, calcium, oxide.
Charge shifters
Transition metal ions with Roman numeral charges.
Polyatomic pack
Polyatomic ions: nitrate, sulfate, carbonate, ammonium.
Compound builder
Build neutral compounds from random ion hands.
What chemistry did you just use?
You learned the pattern behind ion charges: metals lose electrons to reach a noble gas configuration, nonmetals gain them, and the group number usually tells you how many. Matching charges correctly is the skill behind writing every ionic formula, from table salt to complex minerals.
Key concepts
- Cations and anions from electron gain and loss
- Common ion charges from periodic table groups
- Charge balance in neutral ionic compounds
- Polyatomic ion formulas and charges