Question

question 1 - 5
which of the following pairs of elements is most likely to form an ionic compound?
oxygen and chlorine
nitrogen and sulfur
sodium and aluminum
magnesium and fluorine

Explanation:

Ionic compounds are formed between a metal and a non - metal. Magnesium (\(Mg\)) is a metal (it is in Group 2 of the periodic table) and fluorine (\(F\)) is a non - metal (it is in Group 17 of the periodic table).

• Oxygen (\(O\)) and chlorine (\(Cl\)) are both non - metals. Non - metals tend to form covalent compounds by sharing electrons.
• Nitrogen (\(N\)) and sulfur (\(S\)) are both non - metals. They will form covalent compounds.
• Sodium (\(Na\)) and aluminum (\(Al\)) are both metals. Metals do not form ionic compounds with each other.

Answer:

Magnesium and fluorine.