Cations and anions would be most frequently associated with which of the following:

• A. Polar covalent bonds.
• B. Van der waals forces
• C. Ionic bonds
• D. Nonpolar covalent bonds.
• E. More than one of the above is correct

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the nature of cations and anions. Cations are positively charged ions, while anions are negatively charged ions.
2. Consider the types of chemical bonds listed in the problem: polar covalent bonds, Van der Waals forces, ionic bonds, and nonpolar covalent bonds.
3. Recall that ionic bonds are formed through the electrostatic attraction between cations and anions. This is a key characteristic of ionic bonds.
4. Evaluate the other types of bonds: Polar covalent bonds involve unequal sharing of electrons between atoms, leading to partial charges, but not full charges like in ionic bonds. Nonpolar covalent bonds involve equal sharing of electrons, resulting in no charge separation. Van der Waals forces are weak interactions that do not involve ions.
5. Conclude that cations and anions are most frequently associated with ionic bonds, as these bonds are characterized by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of charged ions.