Which bond type involves the transfer of electrons between atoms?

Which bond type involves the transfer of electrons between atoms?

• A. Covalent bond
• B. Nonpolar
• C. Ionic bond
• D. Polar

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that ionic bonds form when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other. When a metal donates electrons to a nonmetal, the metal becomes a positively charged cation and the nonmetal becomes a negatively charged anion. This full transfer and the resulting electrostatic attraction hold the compound together as an ionic bond. This differs from covalent bonds, where electrons are shared to complete valence shells rather than being moved completely from one atom to another. In nonpolar covalent bonds, electrons are shared equally; in polar covalent bonds, they are shared unequally but still remain part of the same molecule rather than creating separate ions. A classic example of an ionic bond is sodium chloride, formed by Na transferring an electron to Cl, producing ions that stick together by electrical attraction.

The key idea is that ionic bonds form when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other. When a metal donates electrons to a nonmetal, the metal becomes a positively charged cation and the nonmetal becomes a negatively charged anion. This full transfer and the resulting electrostatic attraction hold the compound together as an ionic bond.

This differs from covalent bonds, where electrons are shared to complete valence shells rather than being moved completely from one atom to another. In nonpolar covalent bonds, electrons are shared equally; in polar covalent bonds, they are shared unequally but still remain part of the same molecule rather than creating separate ions. A classic example of an ionic bond is sodium chloride, formed by Na transferring an electron to Cl, producing ions that stick together by electrical attraction.