Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

Which substance is usually involved in an ionic bond?

1. Non-metal and a metal

2. Two non-metals

3. Two metals

4. Organic compounds

The correct answer is: Non-metal and a metal

An ionic bond typically forms between a metal and a non-metal. In this type of bond, the metal atom donates one or more of its electrons to the non-metal atom. This transfer of electrons results in the formation of positively charged ions (cations) from the metal and negatively charged ions (anions) from the non-metal. The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions creates a strong bond, characterizing ionic compounds. This mechanism of electron transfer and the resulting ion formation is a hallmark of ionic bonding, distinguishing it from covalent bonding, which occurs primarily between non-metals where electrons are shared rather than transferred. Other options involving two non-metals or two metals often lead to different types of bonds, such as covalent bonds or metallic bonds, which rely on electron sharing or delocalization rather than the transfer characteristic of ionic bonds. Organic compounds, while they may contain ionic bonds in certain contexts, are not specifically involved in the definition or typical examples of ionic bonding. The emphasis on the metal and non-metal combination highlights the unique nature of ionic compounds in chemical bonding.