An ionic bond involves . an ionic bond involves . an attraction between ions of opposite charge water avoidance the sharing of a single pair of electrons the unequal sharing of an electron pair no atoms other than sodium and chlorine
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: an attraction between ions of opposite charge.
Explanation:
An ionic bond is a type of chemical bond that forms between two atoms when one atom donates one or more electrons to another atom, resulting in the formation of ions. These ions carry opposite electric charges—one becomes positively charged (cation) and the other negatively charged (anion). The bond is the electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions.
For example, in common table salt (NaCl), sodium (Na) loses one electron to become Na⁺, and chlorine (Cl) gains that electron to become Cl⁻. The positively charged sodium ion and negatively charged chloride ion attract each other, creating an ionic bond that holds them together in a crystalline structure.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- Water avoidance: This phrase relates to hydrophobic interactions, not ionic bonding. Ionic compounds often dissolve well in water because water molecules stabilize the ions.
- The sharing of a single pair of electrons: This describes a covalent bond, not an ionic bond. Covalent bonds involve atoms sharing electrons rather than transferring them.
- The unequal sharing of an electron pair: This refers to a polar covalent bond where electrons are shared unequally, creating partial charges, but it is still different from the full transfer and ionic bonding.
- No atoms other than sodium and chlorine: Ionic bonding is not limited to sodium and chlorine; many other atoms form ionic bonds (e.g., magnesium and oxygen in MgO, calcium and fluorine in CaF₂).
Additional Information:
Ionic bonds are generally formed between metals and non-metals. Metals tend to lose electrons due to their low ionization energies, while non-metals tend to gain electrons due to their high electron affinities. The resulting ionic compounds usually form crystalline solids with high melting and boiling points due to the strong electrostatic forces between the ions. When dissolved in water, these compounds often dissociate into their ions, conducting electricity in solution.
In summary, an ionic bond involves the transfer of electrons and the attraction between ions of opposite charge, which distinguishes it clearly from other types of bonding like covalent bonds or hydrophobic interactions.