Which of these best describes an ionic bond? a force that keeps two large molecules together an attraction that occurs between two nonmetals a force that holds two oppositely charged ions together an electromagnetic attraction that occurs between two metals
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
A force that holds two oppositely charged ions together
Explanation:
An ionic bond is a type of chemical bond that forms between two atoms when one atom donates one or more of its electrons to another atom. This typically occurs between a metal and a nonmetal. Metals tend to lose electrons easily to form positively charged ions (called cations), while nonmetals tend to gain electrons to become negatively charged ions (called anions). The resulting opposite charges attract each other strongly, forming an ionic bond.
For example, in sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium (Na), a metal, loses one electron to become Na⁺. Chlorine (Cl), a nonmetal, gains that electron to become Cl⁻. These oppositely charged ions are then held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction, creating an ionic bond. This kind of bond is responsible for forming a crystalline solid with a high melting point and a regular lattice structure.
Ionic bonds are generally strong and result in compounds that are solid at room temperature. When dissolved in water or melted, these compounds often conduct electricity because the ions are free to move. This is in contrast to covalent bonds, which involve the sharing of electrons between two nonmetals and result in molecules rather than ions.
In summary, the best description of an ionic bond is a force that holds two oppositely charged ions together. This force arises due to the complete transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in a stable configuration for both atoms involved. Ionic bonding plays a key role in the structure and stability of many compounds found in nature and in industry.
