how do I tell an ionic bond from a covalent bond?

Question

like when they're written out in a chemical formula, how do u know if it's ionic or covalent? i need this asap

Answer 1

covalent bonds share electrons

ionic bonds donate them

Answer 2

A simple answer for you is as follows:

An ionic bond will always be between a metal and non-metal. A covalent bond will likely be between 2 non-metals. That's a good place to start. The other responders answers is where you can go after the first look as I've suggested

Answer 3

It's hard to tell simply by writing a formula. But there are some exceptions.

Almost anything written with an alkali earth metal and halogen is almost certain to be completely ionic in nature.

Things that contain carbon are more than likely to contain covalent bonds ( even if part of then are ionic in chacter (HCO3-) for instance is ionic but the bonds between the Carbon and Oxygen are covalent in nature.

Answer 4

Ionic bonds are a type of chemical bond based on electrostatic forces between two oppositely-charged ions. In ionic bond formation, a metal donates an electron, due to a low electronegativity to form a positive ion or cation. In ordinary table salt, the bonds between the sodium and chlorine ions are ionic bonds. Often ionic bonds form between metals and non-metals. The non-metal atom has an electron configuration just short of a noble gas structure. They have high electronegativity, and so readily gain electrons to form negative ions or anions. The two or more ions are then attracted to each other by electrostatic forces. In theory, a polar covalent bond is stronger than a nonpolar covalent bond because of the greater electrostatic forces. In respect to that theory, an ionic bond, which has even greater electrostatic differences, would have a stronger bond and therefore stronger than a covalent bond. Ionic bonding occurs only if the overall energy change for the reaction is favourable -- when the bonded atoms have a lower energy than the free ones. The larger the resulting energy change the stronger the bond.

Covalent bonding is a description of chemical bonding that is characterized by the sharing of pairs of electrons between atoms.
"co-valent bond", essentially, means that the atoms share "valence", such as is discussed in valence bond theory. If an atom, for example, had a +1 valence, meaning it was missing an electron (with respect to the octet rule), and another a -1 valence, meaning it had an extra electron (with respect to the octet rule), then a bond between these two atoms would result because they would be complementing or sharing their out of balance valence tendencies. In general, bonds are defined by a mutual attraction that holds the resultant molecule together. Often, bonding occurs in such a way that the outer electron shells of the participating atoms become filled. In contrast to electrostatic interactions labeled as "ionic bonds," the strength of covalent bond depends on the angular relation between atoms in polyatomic molecules. Covalent bonding is most important between atoms with similar electronegativities. Covalent bonding is often delocalized. Covalent bonding is a broad concept and includes many kinds of interactions, including σ-bonding, π-bonding, metal-metal bonding, agostic interactions, and three-center two-electron bonds.

Answer 5

in reality ionic bonds will type between 2 components that have a large electronegativity difference, and that they are seen a pass of electrons (i.e. Sodium provides up one electron to Chlorine and that they type Sodium Chloride (NaCl), even though it is actual composed of Na+ ions and Cl- ions that are attracted because of the fact they are oppositely charged). whilst the two components have comparable electronegativities the bond is seen covalent because of the fact they proportion the electrons between the two one in all them (i.e. O by ability of itself has 6 valence electrons, even though it needs 8. If it comes for the time of yet another O, they are in a position to each supply 2 electrons to proportion, for a entire of four shared electrons. in the event that they the two count selection all 4 electrons of their valence shells, they're going to the two have 8.). because of the fact the electronegativity difference is comparable in those situations, neither component particularly "owns" the electrons in an attempt to communicate, they are hung directly to by ability of the two. the undemanding rule of thumb is that in case you have 2 nonmetals bond (it particularly is two issues from the surprising top component of the periodic table) it will be covalent. in case you have a metallic and a non-metallic bond (some thing from the left component with some thing from the surprising top) it will be ionic.

Answer 6

mostlyif it's a metal and a non metal it's ionic, if it's metal and metal or non metal and non -metal it's covalent. another way of doing it is if you have the values of the electronegativities of the elements. if the difference is 2 or more, it's ionic, if it's less than 2 but still large (like 0.9 and above) it's polar covalent, if it's really little, or 0 then it's pure covalent

Answer 7

Ionic bonds are formed when two or more metals and non metals combine to form a compound. A covalent bond is formed when two or more non metals combine to form a compound.

Answer 8

ionic bonds are formed when one atoms gives its outer lectron(s) to another such that both fulfill the Octet Rule.

covalent bonds: two atoms share an electron...kind of a time share arrangement

Answer 9

An Ionic Bond will result in a positive or negative ion - i.e. Na + Cl = (Na+) + (Cl-)

Answer 10

urg i hate science

http://academic.evergreen.edu/h/hiljus01/Teaching2.htm