Which of the following best describes the difference between a covalent bond and an ionic bond?

• A. A covalent bond involves the sharing of electrons between atoms, while an ionic bond involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.
• B. A covalent bond forms only between metals, while an ionic bond forms only between nonmetals.
• C. A covalent bond results in the formation of ions, while an ionic bond does not.
• D. A covalent bond is weaker than an ionic bond because it does not involve any electrons.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the nature of a covalent bond: it involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, typically between nonmetal atoms, to achieve a full outer electron shell.
2. Understand the nature of an ionic bond: it involves the transfer of electrons from one atom (usually a metal) to another atom (usually a nonmetal), resulting in the formation of positively and negatively charged ions that attract each other.
3. Compare the two types of bonds based on electron behavior: covalent bonds share electrons, while ionic bonds transfer electrons.
4. Recognize that covalent bonds do not form ions themselves, whereas ionic bonds result in the formation of ions.
5. Evaluate the given answer choices against these definitions to identify the statement that correctly describes the difference between covalent and ionic bonds.