Question

when sodium atoms (na) and chlorine atoms (cl) join to make sodium chloride, or table salt, they form an ionic bond. using this information, which pair of elements is most likely to form an ionic bond?

• potassium (k) and fluorine (f)
• aluminum (al) and aluminum (al)
• sulfur (s) and oxygen (o)
• calcium (ca) and neon (ne)

Explanation:

Ionic bonds form between metals (lose electrons) and nonmetals (gain electrons). Na (metal) + Cl (nonmetal) is the example.

• K (metal) + F (nonmetal): Fits metal-nonmetal pairing.
• Al-Al: Same metal, forms metallic bond.
• S-O: Both nonmetals, form covalent bond.
• Ca-Ne: Ne is a noble gas (stable, no electron gain/loss), so no bond.

Answer:

A. potassium (K) and fluorine (F)