What do you call a molecule made up of one halogen atom and one light earth metal atom?

The correct term for a molecule composed of one halogen atom and one light earth metal atom is an ionic salt. In this context, light earth metals refer to the alkali metals or alkaline earth metals, which include elements such as lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These metals typically have low electronegativities and readily lose one or more electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.

Halogens, on the other hand, are highly electronegative nonmetals such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. They tend to gain one electron to become negatively charged ions. When a halogen interacts with a light earth metal, the metal donates its electron(s) to the halogen. This electron transfer results in the formation of positively charged metal cations and negatively charged halogen anions. The opposite charges of these ions create an ionic bond, leading to the formation of an ionic salt.

Ionic salts generally have distinctive properties, such as high melting and boiling points, and they are often soluble in water, resulting in the dissociation of ions. The term accurately describes the compound formed, highlighting the ionic nature of the bond between the metal and the halogen. The other choices do not fit this description as