Which of the following happens when an ionic bond is formed?
A. Two atoms attain equal electronegativities.
B. One atom pulls an electron from another atom.
C. One atom becomes more electronegative than another atom.
D. Two atoms share an electron.
The answer is B. One atom pulls an electron from another atom when an ionic bond is formed.
To understand why, let's first explain what an ionic bond is. An ionic bond occurs between two atoms when there is a large difference in electronegativity, which is a measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons. In ionic bonding, one atom (usually a metal) has a low electronegativity and tends to lose one or more electrons, while another atom (usually a nonmetal) has a high electronegativity and tends to gain those electrons.
So, in the process of forming an ionic bond, one atom pulls an electron from another atom. This creates two charged particles, called ions. The atom that lost an electron becomes positively charged and is called a cation, while the atom that gained an electron becomes negatively charged and is called an anion. The opposite charges of the ions attract each other, forming a strong electrostatic attraction, which is the ionic bond.
To determine the correct answer, you need to understand the concept of electronegativity and how it influences the formation of an ionic bond. Electronegativity is a property of elements that indicates their tendency to attract electrons in a chemical bond. When two atoms with significantly different electronegativities come together, one atom will have a stronger pull on the shared electrons, resulting in the transfer of electrons and the formation of an ionic bond.
Based on this explanation, you can see that option B, "One atom pulls an electron from another atom," accurately describes what happens when an ionic bond is formed.