Which of the following statements correctly describes a key difference between ionic and covalent bonds?

• A. Both ionic and covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms.
• B. Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons, while covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons.
• C. Ionic bonds form only between nonmetals, while covalent bonds form only between metals.
• D. Covalent bonds result in the formation of ions, while ionic bonds do not.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the nature of ionic bonds. Ionic bonds form when one atom transfers one or more electrons to another atom, resulting in the formation of positively and negatively charged ions that attract each other.
2. Step 2: Understand the nature of covalent bonds. Covalent bonds form when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons to achieve a full outer electron shell, typically between nonmetal atoms.
3. Step 3: Analyze the first statement: 'Both ionic and covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms.' This is incorrect because ionic bonds involve electron transfer, not sharing.
4. Step 4: Analyze the second statement: 'Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons, while covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons.' This correctly describes the fundamental difference between ionic and covalent bonds.
5. Step 5: Review the other statements about bond formation between metals and nonmetals and the formation of ions, and recognize that these are incorrect or misleading based on the definitions of ionic and covalent bonds.