Final answer:
The idea that boron ions and nitrogen ions form ionic bonds is incorrect. These atoms typically form covalent bonds, which involve sharing electrons, as opposed to ionic bonds where electrons are completely transferred between atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Boron ions and nitrogen ions are held together by ionic bonds' is false. Ionic bonds are formed when an atom donates an electron to another atom, creating a cation and an anion, respectively. The cation, having positive charge, and the anion, having negative charge, are attracted to each other, forming an ionic bond. Common examples are the bonds between sodium ions and chloride ions in sodium chloride. However, boron and nitrogen do not generally form ionic bonds. They tend to form covalent bonds. Covalent bonds are characterized by the sharing of electrons between atoms, as opposed to the complete transfer of electrons in ionic bonds. These differences are crucial to the distinct chemical properties of compounds formed by ionic and covalent bonding.
Learn more about Ionic and Covalent Bonds