Which statement best explains why a metal atom and a nonmetal atom are most likely to form an ionic bond?
a. metal atoms have low ionization energy, and nonmetal atoms have high electronegativity, so electrons transfer easily from the nonmetal atom to the metal atom.
b. metal atoms have low ionization energy, and nonmetal atoms have high electronegativity, so electrons transfer easily from the metal atom to the nonmetal atom.
c. metal atoms have high ionization energy, and nonmetal atoms have low electronegativity, so electrons transfer easily from the nonmetal atom to the metal atom.
d. metal atoms have high ionization energy, and nonmetal atoms have low electronegativity, so electrons transfer easily from the metal atom to the nonmetal atom.

The correct option is B.

The low ionization energy of metals and the high electronegativity of non metals made it possible for the two of them to combine together easily in order to form ionic bond. Ionization energy refers to the energy that is needed to remove the most loosely bound electron from the atom of an element. Metals generally have low ionization energy, so it is easy for them to give up their outermost electron[s]. Electronegativity refers to the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electron. Non metals generally have high electronegativity, thus, it is easy for them to accept electrons from metals during ionic bond formation.

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the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.

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