Ionic Compounds: metal + non-metal -> through ionic bonds (exceptions being the polyatomic ions)

Ionic Compounds: metal + non-metal -> through ionic bonds (exceptions being the polyatomic ions)

• A. Non-metal + non-metal -> through ionic bonds
• B. Metal + metal -> through ionic bonds
• C. Metal + non-metal -> through covalent bonds
• D. Metal + non-metal -> through ionic bonds (exceptions being the polyatomic ions)

Answer: (D)

Ionic bonding happens when there’s a big difference in electronegativity between atoms, causing electrons to be transferred from metal atoms to nonmetal atoms. The metal loses electrons to form positively charged cations, while the nonmetal gains electrons to form negatively charged anions. The resulting opposite charges attract strongly, creating an ionic compound with a crystal lattice structure. Polyatomic ions are charged groups of atoms, so they participate in ionic bonding just like single-atom ions; a metal can pair with a polyatomic ion to form an ionic compound, which is why this option notes that exception. Non-metals bonding to non-metals typically form covalent bonds, not ionic. Metals bonding to metals form metallic bonds, not ionic. So the statement that metal plus nonmetal generally forms ionic bonds, with the caveat that polyatomic ions are involved in some ionic compounds, best captures the standard pattern.

Ionic bonding happens when there’s a big difference in electronegativity between atoms, causing electrons to be transferred from metal atoms to nonmetal atoms. The metal loses electrons to form positively charged cations, while the nonmetal gains electrons to form negatively charged anions. The resulting opposite charges attract strongly, creating an ionic compound with a crystal lattice structure. Polyatomic ions are charged groups of atoms, so they participate in ionic bonding just like single-atom ions; a metal can pair with a polyatomic ion to form an ionic compound, which is why this option notes that exception.

Non-metals bonding to non-metals typically form covalent bonds, not ionic. Metals bonding to metals form metallic bonds, not ionic. So the statement that metal plus nonmetal generally forms ionic bonds, with the caveat that polyatomic ions are involved in some ionic compounds, best captures the standard pattern.