Question

which statement describes a step in the formation of an ionic bond?
an attraction occurs between two ions that have the same charge.
a metal atom forms a cation, and a nonmetal atom forms an anion.
a more electronegative atom transfers electrons to a less electronegative atom.
a metal pulls electrons from another metal and produces a force of attraction.

Explanation:

• Oppositely - charged ions attract in an ionic bond. So, the statement "An attraction occurs between two ions that have the same charge" is wrong.
• In ionic bond formation, metal atoms (low electronegativity) lose electrons to form cations and non - metal atoms (high electronegativity) gain electrons to form anions.
• A less electronegative atom (usually metal) transfers electrons to a more electronegative atom (usually non - metal), not the other way around. So, the statement "A more electronegative atom transfers electrons to a less electronegative atom" is incorrect.
• Ionic bonds form between metals and non - metals, not between two metals. So, the statement "A metal pulls electrons from another metal and produces a force of attraction" is wrong.

Answer:

B. A metal atom forms a cation, and a nonmetal atom forms an anion.