Ionic

[005388369]

I know that if the difference in electronegativity is greater than 2, it is an ionic bond and if it is less than 1.5, it is a covalent bond. On the midterm, would the electronegativity be given to us so that we can calculate it? Also, what do we do about the gray area between 1.5 and 2? How would we know definitively if it is an ionic bond or a covalent bond?

[Dakota Walker 1L]

Electronegativies will be given if we need to calculate them, otherwise we could just compare them based on periodic trends. The gray area describes polar bonds which I don't think are covered on this midterm.

[Victoria Li 1L]

I think the electronegativity values would probably be given to us if it weren't obvious just using periodic trends

[EMurphy_2L]

I do not think we will be asked to say anything concrete about bonds between atoms with an electronegativity difference between 1.5 and 2, that seems very unreasonable.
We may be asked to compare bond characteristics but I think it would be pretty clear and just using period trends. For example, textbook question 2D.7 implies finding the difference in electronegativity between atoms in molecules but doesn't give the exact numbers... you just have to notice that K and Cl are very far apart on the periodic table, making their bonds with Cl very different in electronegativity.