Which of the following is a bond in which a metal transfers one or more electrons to a nonmetal?
ionic bond
hydrogen bond
metallic bond
covalent bond
Hydrogen bond
The bond in which a metal transfers one or more electrons to a nonmetal is called an ionic bond. To identify the bond type, you need to understand the general characteristics of each bond type.
An ionic bond occurs between a metal and a nonmetal. In this type of bond, the metal atom(s) lose one or more electrons to the nonmetal atom(s), resulting in the formation of positively charged metal ions and negatively charged nonmetal ions. These oppositely charged ions are attracted to each other and form a strong bond.
To determine the correct answer, you can go through each option and consider whether it involves the transfer of electrons between a metal and a nonmetal.
- Hydrogen bond: This type of bond occurs when a hydrogen atom is bonded to a highly electronegative atom like oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine. Hydrogen bonds are not a result of electron transfer.
- Metallic bond: Metallic bonds occur between metal atoms. In metallic bonding, electrons are delocalized and move freely between the metal cations, creating a "sea" of electrons. There is no transfer of electrons to nonmetals in a metallic bond.
- Covalent bond: Covalent bonds occur between two nonmetal atoms. In a covalent bond, electrons are shared between the atoms rather than being transferred.
By considering the definitions and characteristics of each bond type, you can conclude that the correct answer is an ionic bond.