Question
Question: Differentiate between an ionic bond and a covalent bond....
Differentiate between an ionic bond and a covalent bond.
Solution
The force of attraction between the constituent entities like atoms, ions which is responsible for the stability of the compound is called chemical bonding. The stability of the compound depends on the interaction between the constituent species, stronger the interaction, stable will be the resulting compound.
Complete Step-by-step Answer:
The type of chemical bond that is formed between the species decides the chemical and physical properties of the compound. These bonds vary in their strength and properties. On the type of bonding they are classified into 4 categories:
-IONIC BONDS
-COVALENT BONDS
-HYDROGEN BONDS
-POLAR BONDS
IONIC BONDING: Ionic bonds are formed through ionic bonding via transfer of electrons between one atom to another. This bond is formed generally between a metal and a nonmetal. As metals have a tendency to lose electrons, they lose their electrons to form a cation and attain positive charge and the non-metal have a tendency to gain electrons and form an anion by accepting the electrons. In this way, an ionic bond is formed between the two entities. Example: MgCl2
COVALENT BONDING: Covalent bonds are formed through covalent bonding via sharing of electrons between one atom to another. This bond is formed generally between non-metals. These bonds are polar and non-polar in nature. In polar covalent bonds the more electronegative atom shifts the shared electron pair towards itself while in non-polar compounds the electronegativity difference is very low. Example: CH4
Note:
A chemical compound is formed when there is a chemical interaction between atoms, ions or molecules. This chemical bonding is the reason the compounds are held together via sharing or transfer of electrons between the reacting entities.