Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

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What is an ionic bond?

  1. The sharing of electrons between two atoms

  2. The electrostatic attraction between a cation and an anion

  3. A bond involving only non-metal atoms

  4. A type of covalent bond

The correct answer is: The electrostatic attraction between a cation and an anion

An ionic bond is defined as the electrostatic attraction between a cation and an anion. In ionic bonding, one atom donates electrons to another, resulting in the formation of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). The opposite charges of these ions create a strong force of attraction, leading to the formation of an ionic compound. This type of bond typically occurs between metals and non-metals. Metals, which tend to lose electrons, become cations, while non-metals, which tend to gain electrons, become anions. The resulting structure of ionic compounds is usually a crystalline lattice that is stable and has high melting and boiling points due to the strong ionic interactions. Other definitions presented do not accurately describe ionic bonds. For example, the sharing of electrons between two atoms corresponds to a covalent bond rather than an ionic bond. Furthermore, bonds that involve only non-metal atoms are not classified as ionic; they are typically covalent. Finally, a type of covalent bond would also misrepresent the nature of ionic bonding, as they arise from different mechanisms of electron interaction.