Q12E - Chemistry (OpenStax)

Question

What information can you use to predict whether a bond between two atoms is covalent or ionic?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Based on element positions: If the elements in a compound are close to one another in the periodic table, the bond is more likely to be covalent, but if the elements are far apart, the bond will be ionic.

If the difference in electronegativity of the elements involved is less than \({\rm{0}}{\rm{.4}}\), the bond is covalent; if it is between \({\rm{0}}{\rm{.4}}\) and \({\rm{0}}{\rm{.8}}\), the bond is polar covalent; and if it is greater than \({\rm{0}}{\rm{.8}}\), the link is ionic.

Step 1: Define Chemical Bonding

A chemical bond is a long-term attraction between atoms, ions, or molecules that allows chemical compounds to form.

Step 2: Explanation

Predict if a covalent or ionic link exists between two atoms: - 

1. On the basis of element positions: If the elements in a compound are close to one another in the periodic table, the bond is more likely to be covalent, but if the elements are far apart, the bond will be ionic. 
2. If the difference between the electronegativity of the elements involved is \({\rm{ < 0}}{\rm{.4}}\), the bond is covalent; if the difference is between \({\rm{0}}{\rm{.4}}\) and \({\rm{0}}{\rm{.8}}\), the bond is polar covalent; and if the difference is \({\rm{ > 0}}{\rm{.8}}\), the link is ionic.

Therefore, based on element positions if the elements in a compound are near together in the periodic table, the bond is more likely to be covalent, whereas if the elements are far apart, the bond is more likely to be ionic. 

If the electronegativity of the element involved differs by \({\rm{ < 0}}{\rm{.4}}\), the bond is covalent; if the difference is between \({\rm{0}}{\rm{.4}}\) and \({\rm{0}}{\rm{.8}}\), the bond is polar covalent; and if the difference is greater than \({\rm{0}}{\rm{.8}}\), the link is ionic.