An example of an alternative conception:
Some learners think that ionic bonding is the transfer of electrons between atoms, form a metal atom to a non-metal atom.
Many learners think that ionic bonds are only formed when there has been an electron transfer between atoms (this has been referred to as the 'history conjecture' as learners think that the 'history' of the atoms/ions/electrons makes a difference to their current state).
Students will often adopt this history conjecture even if they have produced salts by neutralisation then evaporation, and/or produces ionic precipitates by 'double decomposition' reactions, where no such electron transfer has occured.
It is not unusal for textbooks to show an imaginary (and often energetically unfeasible) electron transfer from a metal tom to a non-metal atom and incorrectly label this as ionic bonding or the formation of ionic bonding.
The history conjecture is part of a related set of conceptions making up the molecular framework for understanding ionic bonding.
Read: The history conjecture
Read: The molecular framework for ionic bonding
Read: A tangible user interface for teaching fairy tales about chemical bonding
