Distinguish between ionic and covalent bonds in terms of how each is formed and how to predict which will be formed when various elements combine.
2007-03-03 07:30:45 · 2 answers · asked by snoopy111690 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The picture of ionic bonding is that atoms of one element lose electrons to atoms of another element. The loser becomes a positively charged cation, and the gainer becomes a negatively charged anion. The different, opposite charges attract the ions together to form the bond.
The picture of covalent bonding is that atoms of the same or different get together and share one or more pairs of electrons between them. Each atom contributes one electron to the pair. The atoms stick together because of the attraction for the shared pair(s).
Ionic bonds tend to form between elements on opposite sides of the preriodic table, the farther apart the better. Metals on the left don't form ionic or covalent bonds with one another. Elements close together onthe right tend to form covalent bonds, the closer the more likely to be covalent.
2007-03-03 07:56:59 · answer #1 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In short, ionic bonds are between metal elements and non-metal elements(NaCl) whereas covalent bonds only occur between non-metal elements(CH4).
2007-03-06 01:40:50 · answer #2 · answered by JustMe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋