why would 2 atoms form a ionic bond instead of a covalent bond?

Answer 1

It depends on the electronegativities of the two atoms. In a covalent bond, the atoms share electrons. An ionic bond is simply a stronger version where one atom "steals" the electrons from the other completely. Bonds are ionic when a metal (low electronegativity) reacts with a nonmetal (high electronegativity). Nonmetal-Nonmetal is covalent.

An example of an ionic bond is Na+ + Cl- --> NaCl. In this case the sodium gives an electron to the chloride and both the Na+ and the Cl- have the "octet" or full electron shells.

A covalent bond would be H20 where the O which has 6 valence electrons shares the two other electrons with the two Hs so it has a full shell and they still do as well (Although because of the electronegativity of H20 the ends are polarized where the O side becomes partially negative and the H atoms are partially positive)

hope this helps :)

Answer 2

The difference in the eletronegativities of the atoms involved in the bond determine the type of bond. Covalent bonds are formed by atoms that are very similar and Ionic bonds are formed by atoms that are very different. Many diatomic elements are covalent bonds while many molecules formed by the reactions of metals with nonmetals are ionic.

Answer 3

ionic bond forms when one element of a metal gives its electron to nonmetal to fill its outer shell. Now metal is has 8 electrons in the outer shell which makes it stable same as with the nonmetal.
Covalent bond forms when two nonmetals shares electrons in order to have 8 electrons in the outer shell.

Answer 4

by using fact by using fact that aluminum has extra electron affinity (or regardless of you call charm to electrons) subsequently it varieties extra covalent bonds with chlorine. you will see that its on the spectacular hand fringe of the periodic table and in that section metals start to advance into metalloids and then further spectacular you get non metals. The residences of metals shrink as you bypass spectacular and strengthen as you bypass down and aluminum is somewhat spectacular and up on the periodic table. the reason its ionic with fluorine is as a results of the fact fluorine pulls the electrons extra twards itself than chlorine by using fact it has a million much less electron shell. it is plenty extra advantageous than the affinity of aluminum

Answer 5

Quite simply - if one of them has a low ionisation energy.

Answer 6

One is a + ion and the other is a - ion.

When transfers can occur--they do! No sharing.

Get an "A".