Question

Define electrovalent bond.

Answer 1

Electrovalent bond: The chemical bond formed due to the electrostatic forces of attraction between the oppositely charged ions is called an electrovalent bond.

• The charged ions are formed as a result of the gain or loss of electrons. The positively charged ion or cation is formed due to the loss of electrons. The negatively charged ion or anion is formed due to the gain of electrons.
• As ions are involved in this bond, it is also called an ionic bond.

Formation of sodium-ion:

• $$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Na}\to {\mathrm{Na}}^{+}+{\mathrm{e}}^{-} \\ \left(\mathrm{Sodium}\right)(\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{ion}) \end{gathered}$$
• The electrons lost by sodium are gained by chlorine.

Formation of Chloride ion:

• $$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Cl}+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to {\mathrm{Cl}}^{-} \\ \left(\mathrm{Chloride}\right)(\mathrm{Chloride}\mathrm{ion}) \end{gathered}$$

The chemical bond between Na⁺ and Cl^- is an electrovalent or ionic bond that forms a NaCl molecule.