Which statement comparing ionic and covalent bonds is correct?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Covalent bonds tend to be less polar than ionic bonds.
Covalent bonds tend to be less polar than ionic bonds.

more electrons are transferred to form covalent bonds than ionic bonds.
more electrons are transferred to form covalent bonds than ionic bonds.

Elements in Group IA are more likely to form covalent bonds than ionic bonds with other atoms.
Elements in Group IA are more likely to form covalent bonds than ionic bonds with other atoms.

The difference between electronegativities is greater for atoms in covalent bonds than for atoms in ionic bonds.
The difference between electronegativities is greater for atoms in covalent bonds than for atoms in ionic bonds.

Answer 1

Let's evaluate each statement:

1. Covalent bonds tend to be less polar than ionic bonds.

   • This statement is generally correct. Ionic bonds usually involve a complete transfer of electrons between atoms with a large difference in electronegativity, resulting in fully charged ions, while covalent bonds involve shared electrons and can be polar or nonpolar depending on the difference in electronegativity.

2. More electrons are transferred to form covalent bonds than ionic bonds.

   • This statement is incorrect. In covalent bonding, electrons are shared rather than transferred, whereas in ionic bonding, electrons are transferred from one atom to another.

3. Elements in Group IA are more likely to form covalent bonds than ionic bonds with other atoms.

   • This statement is generally incorrect. Group IA elements (alkali metals) typically form ionic bonds by transferring their single valence electron to achieve a stable electron configuration.

4. The difference between electronegativities is greater for atoms in covalent bonds than for atoms in ionic bonds.

   • This statement is incorrect. Ionic bonds typically form between atoms with a large difference in electronegativity (usually greater than 1.7), while covalent bonds form between atoms with a smaller difference in electronegativity.

Based on this evaluation, the correct statement is:
Covalent bonds tend to be less polar than ionic bonds.