Question

Elements are classified as metals, non-metals, metalloids and inert gases. Which of them form 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. As ions are involved in this bond, it is also called ionic bond.

• This bond takes place between metals and non-metals.
• Formation of this bond requires the formation of ions which is possible with metals and non-metals.
• Metals have a tendency to lose electrons while non-metals have a tendency to accept electrons.
• The charged ions formed as a result of gain or loss of electrons combine to form electrovalent bond.

Formation of cation from metal (Sodium):

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

Formation of anion from non-metal (Chlorine):

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

The chemical bond between Na⁺ and Cl^- is electrovalent or ionic bond.

• Metalloids are unable to lose or gain electrons because of which they do not form electrovalent bond.
• Inert gases already have a stable octet of electrons (8 electrons in the outermost shell provide stability) because of which they do not make electrovalent or any type of chemical bond.