In the Lewis structure of a compound, square brackets are often used to indicate which type of bond?

• A. Metallic bond
• B. Ionic bond
• C. Covalent bond
• D. Hydrogen bond

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that Lewis structures are diagrams that show the bonding between atoms of a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist.
2. Recognize that square brackets in Lewis structures are typically used to enclose ions, especially polyatomic ions, to indicate the entire ion as a unit.
3. Recall that ionic bonds form between positively and negatively charged ions, and the square brackets help to show the charge on the ion clearly.
4. Note that covalent bonds are usually represented by lines between atoms, and metallic or hydrogen bonds are not typically shown using square brackets in Lewis structures.
5. Therefore, square brackets in Lewis structures are used to indicate ionic bonds by enclosing the ion and showing its charge.