Question

a student claims that carbon dioxide (co₂) is an ionic compound because it contains oxygen. explain why this claim is incorrect.

Explanation:

Ionic compounds form by transfer of electrons between a metal and a non - metal. Carbon and oxygen are both non - metals. In $CO_2$, electrons are shared between carbon and oxygen atoms to form covalent bonds, not transferred as in ionic compounds.

Answer:

The claim is incorrect because carbon and oxygen are non - metals and form covalent bonds in $CO_2$ by sharing electrons, not ionic bonds which require a metal and a non - metal with electron transfer.