When metals react with nonmetals, which type of chemical bond is most commonly formed?

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

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the nature of metals and nonmetals: Metals tend to lose electrons and form positive ions (cations), while nonmetals tend to gain electrons and form negative ions (anions).
2. Recall that when metals react with nonmetals, the metal atoms transfer electrons to the nonmetal atoms, resulting in the formation of oppositely charged ions.
3. Recognize that the electrostatic attraction between these positively charged metal ions and negatively charged nonmetal ions leads to the formation of an ionic bond.
4. Contrast this with covalent bonds, which involve sharing electrons typically between nonmetals, and metallic bonds, which involve a 'sea of electrons' among metal atoms.
5. Conclude that the most common type of chemical bond formed between metals and nonmetals is the ionic bond due to electron transfer and electrostatic attraction.