Which of the following are most likely to form a stable ionic bond
a
Carbon (Period IVA) and Oxygen (Period VIA)
b
Lithium (Period IA) and Fluorine (Period VIIA)
c
Magnesium (Period IIA) and Iron (Period VIIIB)
d
Potassium (Period IA) and Tin (Period IVA)
b
Lithium (Period IA) and Fluorine (Period VIIA)
The answer is b. Lithium (Period IA) and Fluorine (Period VIIA) are most likely to form a stable ionic bond.
Ionic bonds form between elements with a large difference in electronegativity. Lithium has a low electronegativity, while fluorine has a high electronegativity. This large difference in electronegativity makes it likely that lithium will transfer an electron to fluorine, resulting in the formation of Li+ and F- ions, which will then attract each other and form a stable ionic bond.