What is the main difference between ionic and covalent bonds?

• A. Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, while covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms.
• B. Ionic bonds result in the formation of molecules, while covalent bonds result in the formation of crystals.
• C. Ionic bonds occur only between nonmetals, while covalent bonds occur only between metals.
• D. Ionic bonds are weaker than covalent bonds.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that chemical bonds are forces that hold atoms together in compounds, and the two main types are ionic and covalent bonds.
2. Step 2: Ionic bonds form when one atom transfers one or more electrons to another atom, resulting in positively and negatively charged ions that attract each other.
3. Step 3: Covalent bonds form when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons, allowing each atom to achieve a stable electron configuration.
4. Step 4: Recognize that ionic bonds typically occur between metals and nonmetals due to their difference in electronegativity, while covalent bonds usually occur between nonmetal atoms.
5. Step 5: Summarize the main difference: ionic bonds involve electron transfer creating ions, whereas covalent bonds involve electron sharing between atoms.