Question

What is meant by 'pronounced covalent character' in the given context?

Answer 1

All bonds ionic bonds too have some covalent character. However some of the smaller atom alkali metals from Group 1 & 2, such as Lithium and Beryllium form ionic bonds with a much stronger or more 'pronounced covalent characteristic' than most other ionic bonds, due to their smaller mass and thus a relatively higher charge to mass ratio.