How is the bonding continuum arranged?

The bonding continuum is indeed represented with pure covalent bonding and ionic bonding positioned at opposite extremes. This reflects the nature of bonding in compounds, where pure covalent bonds occur when electrons are shared equally between atoms (typically between identical nonmetals), resulting in no charge separation. In contrast, ionic bonding occurs when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, leading to the formation of charged ions. This is typical of metal and nonmetal interactions.

The arrangement illustrates the varying degrees of electron sharing and transfer between different types of bonds. Between these extremes, there are various forms of bonding, such as polar covalent bonds, where the sharing of electrons is unequal, leading to partial positive and negative charges. This continuum helps in understanding the varying characteristics of different materials based on their bonding types and implications on properties like melting point, conductivity, and solubility. The other options do not accurately capture the essence of this continuum as they misplace or misrepresent the relationships between different types of bonds.