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<-- Back to electronegativity Using the Periodic Table - The better way to determine Ionic and Covalent. A metal bonded to a nonmetal will be "mostly" an ionic bond. (left side element-metal and a right side element) Nonmetal bonded to a nonmetal will be "mostly" covalently bonded. (2 right side elements) In this situation, we exclude Nobel Gases (Group 18) as Nonmetals, as they generally do not bond.
Using Electronegativity Differences - (I would avaoid using this method to determine Ionic or Covalent.) The electronegativity differences between atoms can be used to determine the type of bonding that occurs. However, this method is limited is flawed. It can be used to determine which bond has more ionic or covalent "character". If the difference between 2 atoms is small (less than 1.7) the bond is "mostly" covalent. If the difference is large (greater than 1.7) the bond is considered "mostly" ionic. Some Flaws- HF is covalent not ionic (difference of 1.9) BF3 is covalent (difference of 2.0) BeF2 is covalent (difference of 2.5) Covalently bonded atoms will share their electrons in order to form a stable outer electron shell that has 8 electrons. This is called an octet of electrons. (Hydrogen needs 2 electrons and forms a duet.)
Ionic is 1 minute in. Covalent is called "molecular" in this video. Ionic bonded atoms will transfer one or more electrons from the less electronegative element (a metal) to the more electronegative element (a nonmetal) as to achieve an octet of electrons. This results in the formation of 2 ions. One that is negatively charged (an anion) and one that is positively charged (a cation). The bond is a strong electrostatic attraction formed by 2 opposing ions.
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