Answer: This option is incorrect: B. Covalent compounds are held together by much stronger interparticle forces than are ionic compounds.
Justification:
Ionic bonds, held by ionic compounds, are much stronger than covalent bonds, held by covalent compounds.
In ionic bonds one element yields one or more electrons forming a cation (a positively charged ion) and the other element accepts the electrons forming an anion (a negatively charged ion).
The anion and the cation are electrostatically atracted by each other. This electrostatic atraction force, named ionic bond, is very strong.
As result of this, the ionic compounds form strong crystals with high boiling and fusion points. A good example of this the sodium chloride, formed by the union of cation Na(+) and anion Cl(-).
The covalent bonds are result of sharing electrons and do not form ions. This bond is weaker than the ionic bond.
