International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Chemistry Practice Exam

Which description best explains the nature of ionic bonds?

1. They form from the sharing of electrons

2. They are formed between two nonmetals

3. They arise from the attraction between oppositely charged ions

4. They are weak and easily broken

The correct answer is: They arise from the attraction between oppositely charged ions

Ionic bonds are characterized by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, which is the essence of how these bonds form. This process typically involves the transfer of electrons from a metal to a nonmetal, resulting in the formation of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. The strong attraction between these opposite charges culminates in the formation of a stable ionic compound. When considering the other descriptions, the sharing of electrons pertains to covalent bonds, so that option does not align with the nature of ionic bonds. Additionally, ionic bonds primarily form between metals and nonmetals, not between two nonmetals, which would typically lead to covalent bonding. Lastly, while ionic bonds can have varying stability in different contexts, they are generally considered to be strong due to the significant forces involved in the attraction between the ions. This strength is often contrasted with other types of bonding, which may be weaker and more easily broken. Thus, option C succinctly captures the fundamental characteristic of ionic bonding.