Which of the following best describes the difference between ionic bonds and covalent bonds?

• A. Ionic bonds occur only between nonmetals, while covalent bonds occur only between metals.
• B. Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, while covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms.
• C. Ionic bonds are weaker than covalent bonds because they do not involve electrons.
• D. Ionic bonds result in the formation of molecules, while covalent bonds result in the formation of crystals.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that ionic and covalent bonds are two primary types of chemical bonds that hold atoms together in compounds.
2. Recall that ionic bonds form when electrons are transferred from one atom (usually a metal) to another atom (usually a nonmetal), resulting in positively and negatively charged ions that attract each other.
3. Recognize that covalent bonds form when two atoms (usually nonmetals) share one or more pairs of electrons to achieve a full outer electron shell.
4. Note that ionic bonds typically create ionic compounds with a crystal lattice structure, while covalent bonds form molecules with shared electron pairs.
5. Evaluate the given options by comparing these fundamental differences: electron transfer versus electron sharing, types of elements involved, and the nature of the resulting compounds.