Ionic Character and Strength of Bonds

[vincesmetona_3I]

Is there a correlation between ionic character and the strength of a bond? For example, if one ion has more ionic character than another, is the bond weaker or stronger?

[Nathan Danielsen 1G]

In general, ionic bonds are stronger than covalent bonds. So the more ionic character a bond has the stronger it is.

[Helen T 2G]

If ionic bonds are stronger, why are they more soluble in water?

[Nathan Danielsen 1G]

Ionic bonds are formed from the attraction between a positively charged cation, and a negatively charged anion. Water is a polar solvent, so it can dissolve polar compounds. Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, so the central oxygen in a water molecule has a slight negative charge. The oxygen atoms of various water molecules surround and isolate the positively charged cations of the ionic compound. The hydrogen atoms in the water molecules have a slightly positive charge, and can surround and isolate the anions of the ionic compound. This separates the two ions, resulting in the compound being dissolved. Bond strength is proportional to the energy required to break it. If one tried to break an ionic bond without the help of a polar solvent, one would find that it takes more energy than would be required to break a covalent bond.

[JasmineChavez 1E]

Is there a correlation between ionic character and the strength of a bond? For example, if one ion has more ionic character than another, is the bond weaker or stronger?

if you think about the trends of the periodic table you might be able to better visualize the correlation by when looking at a compound, comparing its general size (due to size of atoms and so the required length of a bond) and the strength of its character due to the different charges of the elements in the compounds