Which statement correctly distinguishes ionic and covalent bonding?

Which statement correctly distinguishes ionic and covalent bonding?

• A. Ionic bonding typically occurs between metals; covalent bonding typically occurs between metals and nonmetals.
• B. Ionic bonding typically occurs between nonmetals; covalent bonding typically occurs between nonmetals.
• C. Ionic bonding typically occurs between metals and nonmetals; covalent bonding typically occurs between nonmetals.
• D. Ionic bonding occurs only in gases; covalent bonding occurs only in solids.

Answer: (C)

Ionic bonds arise from the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other. This transfer is favored when one partner is a metal (which tends to lose electrons) and the other is a nonmetal (which tends to gain electrons). Covalent bonds form when atoms share electrons, a situation common among nonmetals with similar electronegativities, so neither atom fully donates or accepts electrons. That pattern is why the statement is correct: ionic bonding typically occurs between metals and nonmetals, while covalent bonding typically occurs between nonmetals. The other descriptions either imply covalent bonds form between metals and nonmetals or claim ionic bonds occur only in gases, which doesn’t align with how these bonds actually behave.

Ionic bonds arise from the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other. This transfer is favored when one partner is a metal (which tends to lose electrons) and the other is a nonmetal (which tends to gain electrons). Covalent bonds form when atoms share electrons, a situation common among nonmetals with similar electronegativities, so neither atom fully donates or accepts electrons.

That pattern is why the statement is correct: ionic bonding typically occurs between metals and nonmetals, while covalent bonding typically occurs between nonmetals. The other descriptions either imply covalent bonds form between metals and nonmetals or claim ionic bonds occur only in gases, which doesn’t align with how these bonds actually behave.