Which statement describes the force that holds ionic bonds together?

• A. Covalent sharing of electrons
• B. Hydrogen bonding
• C. Weak van der Waals forces
• D. Electrostatic attraction between cations and anions

Answer: (D)

The force that holds ionic bonds together is the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. When a metal atom donates electrons to a nonmetal, charged ions form and the resulting cations and anions attract each other, pulling them into a solid lattice. This Coulombic attraction grows stronger with higher charges and with shorter distances between ions, leading to the typically high lattice energies of ionic compounds. Covalent bonding involves sharing electrons, not transferring them to form charged ions. Hydrogen bonding is a specific type of attraction involving hydrogen bonded to very electronegative atoms in neighboring molecules, and van der Waals forces are weaker, non-specific interactions between molecules. The primary binding force in ionic compounds is the electrostatic attraction between cations and anions.