Which statement best describes an ionic compound?

Which statement best describes an ionic compound?

• A. It forms between metals and nonmetals and conducts electricity as a liquid or when dissolved.
• B. It forms between two nonmetals and shares electrons.
• C. It is always a solid at room temperature.
• D. It forms from metals only.

Answer: (A)

Ionic compounds form from the transfer of electrons from metals to nonmetals, creating a lattice of oppositely charged ions held together by strong electrostatic forces. In the solid state, these ions are fixed in place and don’t conduct electricity, but when melted or dissolved in water, the ions are free to move and can carry charge, so electrical conduction occurs. This description—forming between metals and nonmetals and conducting electricity when liquid or dissolved—best matches how ionic compounds behave. The idea that two nonmetals form bonds by sharing electrons describes covalent bonding, not ionic. Saying ionic compounds are always solid at room temperature isn’t a universal rule, and stating they form from metals only ignores the essential nonmetal partner.

Ionic compounds form from the transfer of electrons from metals to nonmetals, creating a lattice of oppositely charged ions held together by strong electrostatic forces. In the solid state, these ions are fixed in place and don’t conduct electricity, but when melted or dissolved in water, the ions are free to move and can carry charge, so electrical conduction occurs. This description—forming between metals and nonmetals and conducting electricity when liquid or dissolved—best matches how ionic compounds behave. The idea that two nonmetals form bonds by sharing electrons describes covalent bonding, not ionic. Saying ionic compounds are always solid at room temperature isn’t a universal rule, and stating they form from metals only ignores the essential nonmetal partner.