Ionic & covalent character

[Lorena Zhang 4E]

When we are talking about ionic or covalent compounds/bonds, is it that we are saying the compound/bond has more ionic/covalent characters? Is it that essentially, there’s no clear cut between ionic/covalent?

[Parth Mungra]

I think the characteristics are dependent on the atoms and the atoms they interact with. For example, in covalent bonds, not all of the electrons are shared equally, due to electronegativity differences, giving the molecule some ionic properties. Other molecules might not have this characteristic, but just because there are differences that set molecules apart doesn't deter from the fact that they have covalent bonds. In other words, a molecule/compound can have multiple characteristics of ionic/covalent properties, but they will still be defined as an ionic/covalent bond.
Hope this helps.

[Gabriela Aguilar 4H]

Although both characteristics can be seen in a compound one will be most dominant, which will most likely determine the name of the character in the compound. (At least that is how I see it)

[Michael Novelo 4G]

All ionic bonds have some covalent character because the anion is attracted to electrons, and electrons are being shared between a molecule. Ionic bonds have higher polarity than covalent bonds do, going down the periodic table increases the distortions of ions which have higher polarizing power, which also gives the molecule more covalent character. Ionic bonds have higher boiling/melting points than covalent bonds do.

[JT Wechsler 2B]

In a bond, usually there will be characteristics of both a covalent and ionic bond. Despite this, the bond will usually have a character of one type of bond more so than another.

[angelagd3l]

when (if) this happens how can we differentiate between the two characters?

[Annalyn Diaz 1J]

when (if) this happens how can we differentiate between the two characters?

I think Dr. Lavelle mentioned a rough guideline based on the difference in electronegativity:
if difference is >2, ionic character
if difference is <1.5,covalent character

It's tougher to determine the character if the electronegativity difference is in between 1.5 and 2, so determine the character you would have to examine it on a case-by-case basis.

Hope this helped!