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Which of the following pairs of elements is most likely to form an ionic compound?a. nitrogen and sulfurb. sodium and aluminumc. magnesium and fluorined. oxygen and chlorine

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Answer:

Option c, Mg and F

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's think this question.

a. Nitrogen and Sulfur. They make a covalent bond to form N2S3. They are both non metallic.

b. Na and Al, it is impossible for two metals to make a ionic compound

d. O and Cl also are joined by covalent bond to form Cl2O3. They are both non metallic.

C is the best choice. A non metallic and a metallic element usually makes a ionic compound. It can be assured by the EN (Pauling Rule). We should substract EN (data in periodic table)

ΔΕΝ = EN F - EN Mg

ΔΕΝ = 4 - 1.2 = 2.8

This is absolutely a ionic compound

If ΔΕΝ > 1.7, it is a ionic bond

If 0.4 < ΔΕΝ > 1.7 it is a polar covalent bond

If ΔΕΝ < 0.4 it is a non polar covalent bond

User Eduard Brokan
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