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Question:

Chemistry/chemical bonding question?

Q: If neutral aluminum atoms were mixed with neutral chlorine atoms, what ions would each type of atom form when electrons are exchanged? Could a bond form between those atoms after electrons were exchanged? Would the answer be Ionic Bonds? Or would it be Ions? I'm so confused, thank you for your help!

Answer:

a reaction between aluminium and chlorine atoms could produce a number of compounds i imagine but the only one that comes to mind is Alcl3 (Aluminium chloride)The bond would be Covalent since the electronegativities of aluminium and chlorine are closeIonic bonds are formed between elements with widely different electronegativites (I can understand your confusion since aluminium is a metal and chlorine is not but if you look at the periodic table, you'll understand).

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