Ionic & Covalent Compounds — Homi Bhabha Class 9 Chemistry MCQs with Solutions
Free Homi Bhabha Class 9 Chemistry Ionic & Covalent Compounds MCQs with step-by-step solutions (13 questions). Part of Periodic Classification & Chemical Bonding. Practise online on Prepizo — no login needed.
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Questions with solutions
Q1 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · medium · theory
An ionic (electrovalent) bond is formed by the:
A. transfer of neutrons
B. transfer of electrons from one atom to another ✓ Correct
C. sharing of electrons
D. sharing of protons
Solution: In ionic bonding one atom donates electrons to another, forming oppositely charged ions that attract.
Q2 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · medium · theory
A covalent bond is formed by the:
A. gain of neutrons
B. sharing of electrons between atoms ✓ Correct
C. loss of protons
D. complete transfer of electrons
Solution: Covalent bonds involve atoms sharing pairs of electrons.
Q3 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · medium · theory
Sodium chloride (common salt) is an example of a(n):
A. noble gas
B. ionic compound ✓ Correct
C. metallic element
D. covalent compound
Solution: NaCl is formed by transfer of an electron from Na to Cl — an ionic compound.
Q4 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · medium · theory
Which of the following is a covalent compound?
A. Sodium chloride (NaCl)
B. Calcium chloride (CaCl₂)
C. Magnesium oxide (MgO)
D. Water (H₂O) ✓ Correct
Solution: Water is formed by sharing electrons (covalent); the others are ionic.
Q5 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · hard · theory
Ionic compounds conduct electricity when:
A. they are dry crystals
B. in the solid state
C. molten or dissolved in water ✓ Correct
D. they are gases
Solution: In molten or aqueous form the ions become free to move and carry current; solid ionic compounds do not conduct.
Q6 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · hard · theory
Compared with covalent compounds, ionic compounds generally have:
A. the same melting points
B. lower melting points
C. higher melting and boiling points ✓ Correct
D. no melting point
Solution: Strong electrostatic forces between ions give ionic compounds high melting and boiling points.
Q7 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · medium · theory
A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses electrons is called a:
A. anion
B. molecule
C. isotope
D. cation ✓ Correct
Solution: Loss of electrons leaves an excess positive charge, forming a cation (e.g. Na⁺).
Q8 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · hard · theory
When sodium reacts with chlorine, sodium becomes ______ and chlorine becomes ______:
A. Na⁺; Cl⁺
B. Na⁻; Cl⁻
C. Na⁺ (loses 1 electron); Cl⁻ (gains 1 electron) ✓ Correct
D. Na⁻; Cl⁺
Solution: Sodium loses one electron to form Na⁺ and chlorine gains it to form Cl⁻, giving NaCl.
Q9 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · easy · theory
A chemical bond formed by the complete transfer of one or more electrons from one atom to another is called
A. a covalent bond
B. an ionic (electrovalent) bond ✓ Correct
C. a metallic bond
D. a hydrogen bond
Solution: When electrons are transferred, oppositely charged ions are formed and attract each other. This electrostatic attraction between the ions is an ionic (electrovalent) bond, as in sodium chloride.
Q10 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · medium · theory
During the formation of sodium chloride, a sodium atom (2, 8, 1) and a chlorine atom (2, 8, 7) combine. What actually happens?
A. Chlorine loses 7 electrons to sodium
B. Both atoms share a single pair of electrons
C. Sodium gains 1 electron and chlorine loses it
D. Sodium loses 1 electron and chlorine gains it, forming Na+ and Cl- ions ✓ Correct
Solution: Sodium loses its single valence electron to reach the stable 2, 8 arrangement (Na+), while chlorine gains that electron to complete its octet (Cl-). The two oppositely charged ions then attract to form NaCl.
Q11 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · medium · theory
Which set of properties is typical of ionic compounds such as sodium chloride?
A. Exist as gases at room temperature and are insoluble in water
B. Very low melting point; never conduct electricity in any state
C. Soft with a low boiling point; conduct electricity even as solids
D. High melting point; conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in water ✓ Correct
Solution: Ionic compounds are built from strongly attracted ions, so they are hard solids with high melting points. Their ions become free to move only when the compound is molten or dissolved, and that is when they conduct electricity.
Q12 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · hard · theory
In a molecule of methane (CH4), each hydrogen atom is joined to the carbon atom by
A. a complete transfer of electrons (ionic bond)
B. a metallic bond
C. a shared pair of electrons (covalent bond) ✓ Correct
D. the attraction between two positive ions
Solution: Carbon and hydrogen are both non-metals that hold their electrons strongly, so instead of transferring electrons they share pairs of them. Each carbon-hydrogen link is a single covalent bond.
Q13 — Ionic & Covalent Compounds · hard · theory
Element X has the configuration 2, 8, 2 and element Y has the configuration 2, 7. What is the most likely formula of the compound formed and the type of bond?
A. XY, ionic bond
B. X2Y, covalent bond
C. XY2, covalent bond
D. XY2, ionic bond ✓ Correct
Solution: X (a metal) loses its 2 valence electrons to form X2+, and each Y (a non-metal with valency 1) gains one electron to form Y-. To balance the charges, two Y- combine with one X2+, giving the ionic compound XY2 (like magnesium fluoride).