Final answer:
BeO will have a stronger bond than NaCl because BeO has a larger ionic charge and a smaller distance between ions, which enhances the electrostatic attraction. Thus, the correct option is (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine which substance, NaCl or BeO, will have a stronger bond, several factors need to be considered, including the ionic charge and the interionic distance. When comparing the ionic bonds in NaCl and BeO, we must look at the charges on the ions and how closely they are able to get to one another, which is related to the size of the ions.
BeO will have a stronger bond because it has a larger ionic charge between the Be2+ and O2- ions compared to the Na+ and Cl- ions in NaCl. Additionally, the smaller radius of the beryllium and oxygen ions in BeO results in a smaller distance between ions, enhancing the electrostatic attraction between them.
Therefore, option (a) is correct: BeO will have a stronger bond because it has a larger ionic charge, and a smaller distance between ions. The strength of an ionic bond is higher when ions have greater charges and when they are closer together due to a smaller ionic radius.