Multiple Choice
Which of the following diatomic species is best classified as an ionic compound?
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Chemical Bonds
Multiple Choice
Which type of chemical bond is present in sodium chloride (NaCl)?
A
Metallic bond
B
Covalent bond
C
Hydrogen bond
D
Ionic bond
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the elements involved in the compound: sodium (Na) is a metal and chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal.
Recall that when a metal reacts with a nonmetal, the typical bond formed is an ionic bond due to the transfer of electrons.
Understand that sodium tends to lose one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, becoming a positively charged ion (Na⁺).
Chlorine tends to gain one electron to complete its valence shell, becoming a negatively charged ion (Cl⁻).
The electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) forms the ionic bond present in sodium chloride.
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