Which of the following compounds is an example of an electrovalent bond?

An electrovalent bond, also known as an ionic bond, is a type of chemical bond that forms between two atoms when one atom transfers electrons to another. This creates a bond between the positively charged ion and the negatively charged ion.

Out of the given compounds, NaCl (sodium chloride) is an example of an electrovalent bond.

In NaCl, a sodium atom transfers one electron to a chlorine atom. This results in the formation of a sodium ion (Na+) and a chlorine ion (Cl-). The sodium ion has a positive charge because it lost an electron and the chlorine ion has a negative charge because it gained an electron.

The opposite charges of the sodium and chlorine ions attract each other, resulting in the formation of a strong electrovalent/ionic bond between them. This bond holds the sodium and chloride ions together to form a crystal lattice structure of sodium chloride.

On the other hand, CO2 (carbon dioxide), H2O (water), and CH4 (methane) do not involve the transfer of electrons between atoms. These compounds have covalent bonds, where electrons are shared between atoms.

Understanding the concept of electrovalent bonds is important because it helps explain the properties and behavior of ionic compounds, such as their high melting and boiling points, solubility in water, and ability to conduct electricity when dissolved or molten.