Answer: Option (a) is the correct answer.
Explanation:
In an ionic bond is defined as the bond formed due to transfer of electron(s) from one atom to another.
An ionic bond will always be formed between a metal and a non-metal.
This is because an atom which loses its valence electrons (metals) acquires a positive charge and another atom which gains the electrons (non-metals) acquires a negative charge.
Hence, these opposite charges strongly gets attracted towards each other forming a strong bond.
Whereas in a covalent bond, there will be sharing of electrons between the combining atoms.
A covalent bond will always be formed between non-metals when they are present in neutral form.
For example, [tex]Cl_{2}[/tex] molecules is formed due to sharing of electrons between the two Cl atoms.
Thus, we can conclude that difference between an ionic bond and a covalent bond is that an ionic bond is a bond between charged atoms, while a covalent bond is a bond between neutral atoms.
