Answer:
Ionization energy of the metal and electron affinity of the nonmetal
Explanation:
An ionic bond is formed when a metal transfers electrons to a nonmetal.
M· + A ⟶ M⁺ + ·A⁻
The two main factors affecting this process are the
- Ionization energy of the metal
- Electron affinity of the nonmetal
1. Ionization energy
The lower the ionization energy of the metal, the more likely it is able to donate an electron.
2. Electron affinity
The higher the electron affinity of the nonmetal, the more likely it is to accept an electron,
3. Periodic trends
(a) Ionization Energy
Ionization energy increases from bottom to top and from left to right in the Periodic Table.
Thus, the atoms with the lowest ionization energy are in the lower left corner of the Periodic Table.
(b) Electron affinity
Electron affinity increases from bottom to top and from left to right in the Periodic Table.
Thus, the atoms with the highest electron affinity are in the upper right corner of the Periodic Table.
