An ionic bond involves electron sharing.
True
False
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is False.
An ionic bond does not involve electron sharing; rather, it involves the transfer of electrons between atoms. Ionic bonding occurs between atoms of different electronegativities, typically a metal and a non-metal. Here’s a breakdown of how ionic bonds form and why electron sharing is not involved:
Formation of Ionic Bonds:
- Electron Transfer: In an ionic bond, one atom (typically a metal) donates one or more electrons, while the other atom (usually a non-metal) accepts those electrons. For example, sodium (Na), a metal, has one electron in its outermost shell. Chlorine (Cl), a non-metal, has seven electrons in its outer shell and needs one more to complete its octet.
- Resulting Ions: The sodium atom gives away its single valence electron to the chlorine atom. As a result, sodium becomes a positively charged ion (Na⁺), and chlorine becomes a negatively charged ion (Cl⁻) due to the extra electron.
- Electrostatic Attraction: The positive and negative charges of the sodium and chloride ions create a strong electrostatic attraction, which holds them together in a stable ionic bond. This attraction forms an ionic compound, such as sodium chloride (NaCl).
Difference Between Ionic and Covalent Bonds:
- Ionic Bond: Involves the transfer of electrons. One atom loses electrons (becomes positive), and another gains electrons (becomes negative). The resulting ions are held together by electrostatic forces.
- Covalent Bond: Involves electron sharing. Two atoms (often non-metals) share one or more pairs of electrons to achieve a full outer electron shell, creating a stable bond without forming ions.
In summary, ionic bonding is characterized by electron transfer rather than sharing, leading to the formation of ions with opposite charges that attract each other, while covalent bonds are formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.