Which of the following electronegativity differences indicates ionic bonding?

Master chemistry for the PCC Competency Exam with this quiz. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Excel in your test!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following electronegativity differences indicates ionic bonding?

Explanation:
When the electronegativity difference between two atoms is very large, electrons are more likely to be transferred from the less electronegative atom to the more electronegative one, creating ions that are held together by strong electrostatic forces. A difference around 2.3 is well into that regime, so the bond formed is clearly ionic. Smaller differences, like 0.4 or 0.1, mean electrons are largely shared, yielding covalent bonds rather than ionic ones. A difference near 1.2 is substantial but typically described as polar covalent with significant ionic character, not a true ionic bond. Thus, ΔEN ≈ 2.3 best indicates ionic bonding.

When the electronegativity difference between two atoms is very large, electrons are more likely to be transferred from the less electronegative atom to the more electronegative one, creating ions that are held together by strong electrostatic forces. A difference around 2.3 is well into that regime, so the bond formed is clearly ionic.

Smaller differences, like 0.4 or 0.1, mean electrons are largely shared, yielding covalent bonds rather than ionic ones. A difference near 1.2 is substantial but typically described as polar covalent with significant ionic character, not a true ionic bond. Thus, ΔEN ≈ 2.3 best indicates ionic bonding.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy