Chapter 8, Problem 46A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The difference between an ionic and a covalent bond needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction: When two or more atoms interact with each other, a chemical bond can form between them. There are two types of bonds, ionic and covalent, depending on the type of atoms involved in bonding. If there is a huge electronegativity difference between two atoms, an ionic bond is formed between them and if two atoms have comparable electronegativity values, the covalent bond is formed.

Explanation of Solution

An ionic bond is not formed by sharing of electrons between two atoms. Here, the bond is formed between ions which are formed after gaining and losing electrons. An atom loses electron/s to form a cation (positive charge ion) and gains electron/s to form an anion (negative charge ion). Here, a complete transfer of electron/s takes place between two atoms. Thus, an ionic bond is formed by the complete transfer of an electron between two atoms.

Covalent bonds are formed by sharing of electrons between two atoms. Here, both atoms have a comparable tendency of gaining or losing electrons. Thus, instead of complete transfer atoms share electron/s to form a bond.

Thus, the major difference between ionic and covalent bonds is that an ionic bond is formed by the complete transfer of electron/s from one atom to another and a covalent bond is formed by sharing electrons between two atoms.