Why is NaBr classified as an ionic compound?

• A. It contains covalent bonds between sodium and bromine atoms.
• B. It is formed by the sharing of electrons between Na and Br.
• C. It is composed of two nonmetals sharing electrons.
• D. It is formed from the transfer of electrons between a metal (Na) and a nonmetal (Br).

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the types of elements involved in the compound NaBr: sodium (Na) is a metal, and bromine (Br) is a nonmetal.
2. Recall that ionic bonds typically form between metals and nonmetals due to the transfer of electrons, whereas covalent bonds form between nonmetals by sharing electrons.
3. Understand that sodium (Na) tends to lose one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, becoming a positively charged ion (Na⁺).
4. Recognize that bromine (Br) tends to gain one electron to complete its valence shell, becoming a negatively charged ion (Br⁻).
5. Conclude that the electrostatic attraction between the positively charged sodium ion and the negatively charged bromide ion results in the formation of an ionic bond, classifying NaBr as an ionic compound.