Question

Which of the following pairs of elements would most likely combine to form a salt (ionic bond) ?

Rb + Cl2


H2 + O2


P + I2


Ne + He

Answer 1

Rb and Cl₂.

Step-by-step explanation

• Metals tend to transfer their electrons to nonmetals when the two react. They will produce two ions. As a result, bonds between a metal and a nonmetal tend to be ionic.
• Nonmetals tend to share electrons. As a result, bonds between two nonmetals tend to be covalent.
• Noble gas elements are stable. They seldom react with other elements or with other noble gases.

• Rb is a metal. Cl is a nonmetal. They tend to form ionic bonds.
• H and O are nonmetals. They tend to form covalent bonds.
• P and I are nonmetals. They tend to form covalent bonds.
• Ne and He are noble gases. They won't react under standard conditions.