Question

which pair of elements is most likely to form an ionic compound?
all of these
calcium and oxygen
sodium and sulfur
aluminum and nitrogen

Explanation:

Step1: Understand ionic compound formation

Ionic compounds form between metals and non - metals. Metals lose electrons to form cations, and non - metals gain electrons to form anions.

Step2: Analyze each pair

• Calcium (metal) and oxygen (non - metal): Calcium can lose 2 electrons (\(Ca^{2 + }\)) and oxygen can gain 2 electrons (\(O^{2 - }\)) to form \(CaO\) (ionic compound).
• Sodium (metal) and sulfur (non - metal): Sodium loses 1 electron (\(Na^{+}\)) and sulfur gains 2 electrons (\(S^{2 - }\)). They form \(Na_{2}S\) (ionic compound).
• Aluminum (metal) and nitrogen (non - metal): Aluminum loses 3 electrons (\(Al^{3+}\)) and nitrogen gains 3 electrons (\(N^{3 - }\)). They form \(AlN\) (ionic compound).

Answer:

All of these