Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 50%

Which of the following correctly describes how an ionic bond forms?

Rationale

An electron is transferred from one atom to another.

Ionic bonds form through the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the creation of positively and negatively charged ions. This electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions constitutes the ionic bond.

A (Two ions share several pairs of electrons.) YOUR ANSWER

This description pertains to covalent bonds, where atoms share electrons to achieve stability. In contrast, ionic bonds involve the complete transfer of electrons rather than sharing, leading to the formation of ions with opposite charges.

B (Two atoms have an electrostatic attraction to an adjacent hydrogen atom that binds them together.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement incorrectly describes a scenario involving hydrogen bonding or similar interactions rather than ionic bonding. Ionic bonds specifically result from the transfer of electrons between two atoms, generating ions that attract each other, rather than an attraction to an adjacent hydrogen atom.

C (An electron is transferred from one atom to another.) CORRECT

This accurately describes the process of ionic bond formation, where one atom donates an electron, becoming a positively charged ion, while the other atom accepts that electron, resulting in a negatively charged ion. The resultant electrostatic attraction between these ions forms the ionic bond.

D (The nuclei of two atoms fuse together to form a single molecule.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement describes nuclear fusion, which is a process that occurs under extreme conditions and is unrelated to chemical bonding. Ionic bonds do not involve the fusion of atomic nuclei but rather the transfer and subsequent attraction of electrons between atoms.

Conclusion

Ionic bonds are characterized by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, creating charged ions that attract each other due to their opposite charges. The other choices either describe covalent bonds, hydrogen bonding, or nuclear fusion, which do not accurately represent the ionic bonding process. Understanding this fundamental mechanism is crucial for grasping the nature of ionic compounds and their properties.

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