Question

Indicate whether each statement is true or false regarding ionic bonds.

1. When an atom gains or loses electrons, an ion is formed.
2. Cations and anions share electrons to form an ionic bond.
3. Cations and anions connect to each other because of the force of attraction between opposite charges.
4. When an atom loses an electron, it becomes a cation.
5. When an atom loses an electron, it becomes an anion.

Answer 1

Statements 1, 3, and 4 about ionic bonds are true, indicating the formation of ions through the loss or gain of electrons and the attraction between cations and anions. Statement 2 is false because ionic bonds do not involve sharing of electrons. Statement 5 is false, as gaining electrons results in anions, not losing them.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's address the truthfulness of each statement regarding ionic bonds:

1. When an atom gains or loses electrons, an ion is formed. True
2. Cations and anions share electrons to form an ionic bond. False
3. Cations and anions connect because of the force of attraction between opposite charges. True
4. When an atom loses an electron, it becomes a cation. True
5. When an atom loses an electron, it becomes an anion. False, an atom becomes an anion when it gains an electron.

An ion is formed when an atom does not contain equal numbers of protons and electrons, resulting in a net charge. If an atom loses one or more electrons, it becomes a positively charged cation. Conversely, when an atom gains one or more electrons, it becomes a negatively charged anion. Ionic bonds are formed by the electrostatic attraction between positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, not by sharing electrons as in covalent bonds.