Question

Which of the following atom pairs would most likely be connected by an ionic bond?



K and Br



S and Br



O and Br



F and Br

Answer 1

Ionic bonds are more prevalent between metals and non-metals, such as KBr. Covalent bonds are more prevalent between non-metals and non-metals such as S and Br or O and Br. Said another way, compounds between elements on different sides of the periodic table (K and Br) usually are ionic; compounds between elements on the same side of the table usually are covalent (F and Br, O and Br, S and Br). To add to that, compounds between elements in the center and either side usually are covalent (CCl4, CH4, SiO2).