Which of the following is required for the formation of an ionic bond?

(a) An electron from the more electronegative element should be transferred to the less

electronegative element.

(b) The total energy of the resulting molecule should be less than the total energy of the

reactants.

(c) The lattice energy of the resultant molecule should be as low as possible.

(d) The ionic potentials of the reactants should be identical.