Which type of bond is stronger, ionic or covalent? (2024)

Hint: Ionic bonds are formed by complete transfer of electrons and covalent bonds are formed by sharing of electrons. The force between ionic bonds is electrostatic force, while that in covalent bond is Van der Waals force.

Complete answer:
Generally, ionic bonds are much stronger than covalent bonds.
In ionic bonds, there is complete transfer of electrons between elements to form a stable compound. While in covalent bond, there is only sharing of electrons between two elements to form a stable compound.
The force that keeps the ions together is electrostatic force and the force that keeps the elements together bonded with covalent bond is Van Der Waals force.
As there is complete transfer of electrons in ionic bonds, cations and anions are formed. Thus there exists a huge electrostatic force of attraction between these ions.
As there is only sharing of electrons in elements with covalent bonds, the Van Der Waal’s force existing between them is not as strong as electrostatic force.
Ionic compounds also have higher melting and boiling points than covalent compounds, this proves that ionic compounds are stronger than covalent compounds.
This is true in general, but there are exceptions where covalent bonds are stronger. The measure of energy to break the bond between elements can be used to determine which bond is stronger.
Ionic bonds require more energy to get broken and covalent bonds require lesser energy. However it cannot be said definitively that ionic bonds are stronger than covalent bonds because it depends on a lot of factors.
For example, diamonds have a carbon structure in which there are covalent bonds. Diamond is considered as the hardest natural occurring substance on earth.

Note:
Ionic bonds are much stronger than covalent bonds in a general sense, but in certain conditions it can happen that covalent bonds become stronger than ionic bonds. So, if conditions are given, you have to look out whether the covalent bond is stronger or an ionic bond.

Which type of bond is stronger, ionic or covalent? (2024)

FAQs

Which type of bond is stronger, ionic or covalent? ›

Generally, ionic bonds are much stronger than covalent bonds. In ionic bonds, there is complete transfer of electrons between elements to form a stable compound. While in covalent bond, there is only sharing of electrons between two elements to form a stable compound.

Which bond is stronger, ionic or covalent? ›

Answer: Ionic bonds are typically far more potent than covalent bonds. Ionic bonds result in a stable composite when all the electrons between the components are transferred. While two elements only share electrons to form a stable molecule in a covalent bond.

Which type of bond is strongest? ›

Therefore, the order from strongest to weakest bond is Ionic bond > Covalent bond > Hydrogen bond > Vander Waals interaction.

Are ionic or covalent network bonds stronger? ›

Ionic bond is generally stronger because the ion-ion force that exists in ionic bonding is the strongest. In covalent bonds, electrons are shared, which doesn't generate a force as strong as that in ionic bonding. This can also be explained when we compare the boiling points of ionic compounds and covalent compounds.

Why is a covalent bond the strongest bond? ›

Covalent bonds are widely known in organic compounds. These bonds are formed due to the sharing of the valence electrons between the atoms in an organic compound. Covalent bonds are considered to be strong due to the expense of high bond energy required to break these types of bonds.

Why are covalent bonds weak? ›

This is because the atoms within the covalent molecules are very tightly held together. Each molecule is indeed quite separate and the force of attraction between the individual molecules in a covalent compound tends to be weak.

What is the difference between ionic and covalent bonds? ›

The difference between ionic and covalent bonds is how the electrons are used. In ionic bonding, one atom donates electrons to the other. In covalent bonding, the two atoms share electrons. Covalent bonds share electrons and ionic bonds donate electrons.

Why is an ionic bond the strongest? ›

The ionic bond is the bond established as a result of the electrostatic attraction between the positive and negative ions. Due to the complete transfer of electrons, ionic bonds are stronger than any other bonding. They have a high melting and boiling point, indicating a strong ionic connection.

Which bond is the strongest and most stable? ›

Covalent bonds are the strongest (*see note below) and most common form of chemical bond in living organisms. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms that combine to form water molecules are bound together by strong covalent bonds.

Which bond is most difficult to break? ›

Intramolecular covalent bonding is the most difficult to break. These ties are perhaps the toughest to break and yet the most stable.

Is the ionic bond the strongest? ›

Ionic bonds tend to be stronger than covalent bonds as solids but weaker than covalent bonds when in solution. In chemistry, ionics bonds are usually considered stronger as we work with ionic bonds in the solid state more often while in biology, ionic bonds are considered weaker as molecules tend to be in solution.

Why are covalent networks stronger than ionic? ›

What type of bond is stronger, covalent or ionic? Covalent bonds are stronger if you compare with ionic molecules, because their molecular orbital overlap is bigger. However, ionic molecules form lattices, thus the energy to break this lattice bond is stronger hence the ionic bond is stronger.

Do ionic bonds break easily? ›

An ionic bond is a chemical bond formed between two oppositely charged atoms. These bonds are formed when one atom donates its valence electron(s) to another atom. Ionic bonds are stronger in nature but they can be broken. Ionic bonds can be broken by dissolving in water or by heating at a high temperature.

What type of bond is the strongest and why? ›

Ionic bond: Ionic bonds are the strongest bonds because these are formed due to the electrostatic attraction of an electron from one atom to another. Covalent bond: These are also considered the strongest bond but not as much as an ionic bond, and these bonds are formed when the atoms share the pairs of electrons.

Are ionic bonds weak or strong? ›

Covalent and ionic bonds are both typically considered strong bonds. However, other kinds of more temporary bonds can also form between atoms or molecules. Two types of weak bonds often seen in biology are hydrogen bonds and London dispersion forces.

Which bonds are the strongest and weakest? ›

Therefore, the order of strength of bonds from the strongest to weakest is; Ionic bond > Covalent bond > Hydrogen bond > Van der Waals interaction.

Which is the strongest bond among the three? ›

A metallic bond is an electrostatic attraction between an array of positive metal ions and a sea of delocalized electrons. It forms within metals. Ionic bonds are the strongest type of chemical bond, followed by covalent bonds and then metallic bonds.

Which element has strongest bond? ›

The strongest bond ever is the C-O bond in the carbon monoxide molecule. The second strongest (not much weaker than that) is the triple bond in N2 , which is why it is such a trouble to make nitrogen react with anything.

What type of bond has the most energy? ›

Double bonds are higher energy bonds in comparison to a single bond (but not necessarily 2-fold higher). Triple bonds are even higher energy bonds than double and single bonds (but not necessarily 3-fold higher).

Which bond is easier to break, single or double? ›

A double or triple bond is stronger than a single bond because it holds the atoms closer together and makes it more difficult to break. So, a double bond requires more energy to break the bonds as compared to a single bond.

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