Question

What is an Ionic bond? With two suitable examples explain the difference between an ionic and a covalent bond?

Answer 1

$\text{Ionic bond:}$ The bond which is formed by the complete transference of electrons from one atom to other atom as a result positive and negative ions are formed. These ions are held together through electrostatic force of attraction. This force of attraction is called Ionic bond,

e.g. The formation of $\text{Calcium Fluoride}$($Ca{F}_2$),

$Ca\to C{a}^{2+}+2e^{-}$

$\left[Ar\right]4s^2$ $\left[Ar\right]$

$F+e^{-}\to F^{-}$

$\left[He\right]2s^{2}2p^5\left[He\right]2s^{2}2p^6$ $\left[Ne\right]$

$C{a}^{2+}+2F^{-}\to Ca{F}_2$ or $C{a}^{2+}(F^{-}{)}_2$.

The formation of $NaCl$,

$Na\to N{a}^{+}+e^{-}$

$\left[Ne\right]3s^1$ $\left[Ne\right]$

$Cl+e^{-}\to C{l}^{-}$

$\left[Ne\right]3s^{2}3p^5\left[Ne\right]3s^{2}3p^6$ or $\left[Ar\right]$.

$N{a}^{+}+C{l}^{-}\to NaCl$ or $N{a}^{+}C{l}^{-}$

$\text{Covalent bond:}$ The bond which is formed between the two atoms of non-metals by mutual sharing of electrons between them is called covalent bond, e.g., (figure below).