Identify the favourable conditions for the formation of ionic bond: (a) low IP value of metal, low EA value of nonmetal (b) high IP value of metal, high EA value of nonmetal (c) low IP value of metal, high EA value of nonmetal (d) high IP value of metal, low IP value of nonmetal

In order to choose the correct answer, it is essential to understand the definition of ionization potential (IP) and electron affinity (EA), as well as the process of forming an ionic bond. Ionization potential (IP) is the amount of energy that is needed to remove an electron from an atom. The lower the IP value, the easier it is for the metal to lose an electron. Metals with low IP values usually belong to the first or second group of the periodic table. Electron affinity (EA) is the amount of energy released when an electron is added to an atom. The higher the EA value, the more energy is released when a nonmetal atom gains an electron. Nonmetals with high EA values are usually found in the sixth or seventh group of the periodic table. Ionic bonds occur when a metal loses an electron and forms a positively charged cation, and a nonmetal gains an electron and forms a negatively charged anion. When these ions attract each other, they create an ionic bond. Thus, favorable conditions for ionic bond formation depend on low ionization energies for metals and high electron affinities for nonmetals.

Now that we understand the concepts involved in ionic bond formation, let's evaluate each of the given options: (a) Low IP value of metal, low EA value of nonmetal. This option might not provide a strong force of attraction between ions as the nonmetal's low EA value would not release much energy when it gains an electron. (b) High IP value of metal, high EA value of nonmetal. In this case, the metal would require a large amount of energy to lose an electron, making it hard to form an ionic bond. (c) Low IP value of metal, high EA value of nonmetal. This condition fulfills the requirements for favorable ionic bond formation, as the metal can easily lose an electron and the nonmetal has a high energy release when gaining an electron. (d) High IP value of metal, low IP value of nonmetal. This option is incorrect because it confuses the IP value of the nonmetal with its EA value. Additionally, the high IP value of the metal makes it difficult to form an ionic bond.

Based on our evaluation of the options, we can conclude that the favorable conditions for the formation of an ionic bond are found in option (c), where the metal has a low IP value and the nonmetal has a high EA value. This ensures that the metal can easily lose an electron, and the nonmetal can effectively gain an electron and release energy, leading to the formation of a strong ionic bond between them.