Which of the following pairs of elements is/are likely to form an ionic bond? Choose one or more: A. Na and F B. Ca and Cl C. H and H D. Cl and Br E. K and I F. N and C

The elements likely to form an ionic bond are (A) Na and F, (B) Ca and Cl and (E) K and I.

Answer: A, B & E

Explanation

Ionic bonds are the bond formed between two elements by transferring of electrons.

One of the elements tend to be metal which can easily lend its valence electrons to the other element which will is generally a non-metal.

The metallic element which gives an electron becomes positively charged ion termed as cation.

The non-metallic element, which has the ability to attract electrons towards itself, will capture the electrons released by the metal and becomes the negatively charged ion termed as anion.

So this describes the transfer of electrons from atoms of one element to atoms of another element and forming a bond termed as ionic bond.

So among the given options, the option (A) has Na and F as elements among which Na is a metal and F is a non-metal, so they can form ionic bonding easily. Similarly option (B) has Ca and Cl as elements which are also metal and non-metal combination, so they can also form ionic bond. The same cause can be said for ionic bond formation for the elements given in option (E). The option (C), (D) and (F) have elements which are both non-metals so ionic bonding is not possible.

Thus the elements in options (A), (B) and (E) can form ionic bond.