Question

multiple choice 1 point
which of the following will form an ionic compound?
nitrogen and oxygen
sodium and chlorine
oxygen and carbon
chlorine and sulfur

Explanation:

Step1: Recall ionic compound formation

Ionic compounds form between metals and non - metals.

Step2: Analyze each option

• Nitrogen and oxygen: Both are non - metals. They form covalent compounds (e.g., \(NO\), \(NO_2\)).
• Sodium and chlorine: Sodium (\(Na\)) is a metal (Group 1 in the periodic table) and chlorine (\(Cl\)) is a non - metal (Group 17). Sodium loses one electron to form \(Na^+\) and chlorine gains one electron to form \(Cl^-\). They form the ionic compound \(NaCl\) (sodium chloride).
• Oxygen and carbon: Both are non - metals. They form covalent compounds (e.g., \(CO\), \(CO_2\)).
• Chlorine and sulfur: Both are non - metals. They form covalent compounds (e.g., \(SCl_2\)).

Answer:

Sodium and chlorine.