Question

Select all that apply. Which characteristics will probably yield an ionic bond? E.N. = electronegativity I.E. = Ionization energy atom x atom y low E.N. low E.N. high E.N. low E.N. high E.N. high E.N. low I.E. low I.E. low I.E. high I.E. high I.E. high I.E. low EN, low EN high EN, low EN high EN, high EN low IE, low IE low IE, high IE high IE, high IE

Answer 1

You will most likely get an ionic bond with the combinations:

• High EN-Low EN

• Low IE-High IE

The bigger the electronegativity difference (ΔEN), the greater the degree of ionic character in the bond.

An atom with a high IE also has a high EN. It “wants” electrons. An atom with a low IE will easily give up its electrons. Thus, the bond is likely to be ionic.