Final answer:
Na and Cl are most likely to form an ionic bond, with sodium becoming a cation (Na+) and chlorine becoming an anion (Cl-), resulting in the formation of NaCl. Other options are less likely because they involve nonmetals, which tend to form covalent rather than ionic bonds.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ionic Bond Formation
Among the provided options, Na and Cl would most likely form an ionic bond. In an ionic bond, electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions that are held together by electrostatic forces. Sodium (Na) has one electron in its outermost shell and tends to lose it to achieve a stable noble gas configuration, becoming a positive ion or cation (Na+). Chlorine (Cl), on the other hand, has seven electrons in its valence shell and requires one more to achieve stability, resulting in the formation of a negative ion or anion (Cl-). When Na and Cl come together, Na donates its valence electron to Cl, forming the ionic compound NaCl.
Review of other bonding types suggests Br and Cl, O and Cl, H and Cl, would not form ionic bonds as readily as Na and Cl since they are nonmetals and tend to share electrons, resulting in covalent bonds rather than transferring electrons completely.
When considering which cation would form a stronger ionic bond with Cl, typically, the cation with the higher charge, such as Ca2+ compared to Na+, would result in a stronger ionic bond with a Cl ion due to the increased electrostatic attraction.