Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

What type of bond is formed by the transfer of electrons between metals and nonmetals?

1. Ionic bond

2. Covalent bond

3. Metallic bond

4. Hydrogen bond

The correct answer is: Ionic bond

The formation of an ionic bond occurs through the transfer of electrons between atoms, typically between a metal and a nonmetal. In this process, the metal atom donates one or more of its electrons, resulting in a positively charged ion, while the nonmetal atom accepts those electrons, becoming a negatively charged ion. This charge difference creates a strong electrostatic attraction between the two ions, which is the fundamental characteristic of ionic bonding. On the other hand, covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between nonmetals, and metallic bonds pertain to the sharing of electrons within a lattice of metal atoms, allowing for conductivity and malleability. Hydrogen bonds are weak attractions that occur between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a more electronegative atom and another electronegative atom. Thus, the correct identification of the type of bond formed through electron transfer specifically between metals and nonmetals aligns with the definition of ionic bonding.