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Multiple Choice
Which pair of elements could readily form an ionic compound?
A
Na and Cl
B
S and P
C
O and N
D
C and H
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that ionic compounds typically form between metals and nonmetals due to the transfer of electrons from the metal to the nonmetal, resulting in positively and negatively charged ions.
Identify the elements in each pair and classify them as metals or nonmetals. Sodium (Na) is a metal, and chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal.
Recognize that sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), carbon (C), and hydrogen (H) are all nonmetals, so pairs like S and P, O and N, or C and H involve only nonmetals.
Recall that ionic bonding occurs when a metal loses electrons to become a cation and a nonmetal gains electrons to become an anion, which is the case for Na and Cl.
Conclude that the pair Na and Cl can readily form an ionic compound because Na can donate an electron to Cl, resulting in Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions that attract each other to form an ionic bond.