Which of the following best explains the attraction between two ions in an ionic chemical bond?

• A. The ions form a covalent bond by overlapping their orbitals.
• B. Oppositely charged ions are attracted to each other by electrostatic forces.
• C. The ions are held together by van der Waals forces.
• D. The ions share electrons equally to form a stable molecule.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that an ionic bond forms between two ions with opposite charges: a cation (positive ion) and an anion (negative ion).
2. Recall that the fundamental force responsible for holding these ions together is the electrostatic attraction between opposite charges, which is a non-covalent interaction.
3. Recognize that covalent bonds involve sharing electrons between atoms, which is different from ionic bonding where electrons are transferred, not shared.
4. Note that van der Waals forces are weak intermolecular forces and are not responsible for the strong attraction in ionic bonds.
5. Conclude that the best explanation for the attraction between two ions in an ionic bond is the electrostatic force between oppositely charged ions.