Which of the following best describes the main distinction between ionic and covalent bonds?

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

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.
3. Step 3: Compare the electron behavior in both bonds. Ionic bonding involves electron transfer leading to ions, while covalent bonding involves electron sharing without forming ions.
4. Step 4: Recognize the types of elements involved. Ionic bonds typically form between metals and nonmetals due to their differing electronegativities, whereas covalent bonds usually form between nonmetals.
5. Step 5: Summarize the main distinction. The key difference is that ionic bonds involve electron transfer creating ions, while covalent bonds involve electron sharing between atoms.