Question
Question: Are the bonds \( BaO \) covalent or ionic?...
Are the bonds BaO covalent or ionic?
Solution
In order to answer this question, first we should know the difference between the ionic and covalent bond. Also, we should know that the given molecule is Barium oxide and it is made up of barium and oxygen.
Complete Step By Step Answer:
Let's completely understand the answer to this question.
First, we will understand the difference between ionic and covalent bonds. There are many types of chemical bonds that bond the molecules together. The most important types of bond are ionic and covalent bonds. In ionic bond, electrons transfer takes place whereas in covalent bonding, sharing of electrons occurs.
We need one electron donor and one electron acceptor in case of ionic bond but in case of covalent bonds, atoms with same electronegativity share the electrons. Also, ionic bonds are formed between metal and non- metal and covalent bonds are formed between two nonmetals.
In this question, we need to determine whether BaO is covalent or ionic. Here, in this case barium is metal and oxygen is non-metal. Ionic bonds generally occur between metallic elements and nonmetallic elements. Hence, there is a bond between metal and non-metal so the bond formed will be ionic.
Therefore, BaO has an ionic bond.
Note:
It must be noted that ionic bonds are formed due to the electrostatic forces of attraction between the metals and nonmetals and covalent bonds are formed due to the sharing of electrons between the two nonmetals and it can be single, double and triple bond and it depends on the number of valence electrons.