Question

Identify the correct option regarding the strength of ionic bond and covalent bond.

• A. Ionic bond is stronger than covalent bond
• B. Ionic bond is weaker than covalent bond
• C. Ionic and covalent bonds are equally stronger
• D. Cannot be determined

Answer 1

The correct option is A Ionic bond is stronger than covalent bond

Ionic bonding is defined as the complete transfer of valence electron(s) between two atoms. It is a type of chemical bond that generates two oppositely charged ions. In ionic bonds, the metal loses electrons to become a positively charged cation, whereas the non-metal accepts those electrons to become a negatively charged anion. A strong electrostatic force of attraction between these ions is formed and is hard to break as they form a lattice structure. The molecules formed by covalent bonds have weaker covalent forces between their atoms called as ‘Van der Waals forces’ and can break easily. Hence, ionic bonds are stronger than covalent bonds.