* Ionic Bonding: Barium is a metal and carbon is a nonmetal. When metals and nonmetals react, they typically form ionic compounds. This means barium would lose electrons to become a positively charged ion (Ba²⁺), and carbon would gain electrons to become a negatively charged ion (C⁴⁻).
* No Sharing of Electrons: In ionic compounds, there is no sharing of electrons between atoms. Instead, the oppositely charged ions are held together by electrostatic attraction.
* No Discrete Molecules: Molecular compounds consist of discrete units made up of non-metal atoms sharing electrons through covalent bonds. Barium and carbon do not form this type of structure.
The Compound They Form:
Barium and carbon can react to form barium carbide (BaC₂). This is an ionic compound where barium is positively charged and the carbide ion (C₂²⁻) is negatively charged.
