Final answer:
An ionic bond is formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another. One atom loses electrons and becomes positively charged, while the other atom gains those electrons and becomes negatively charged. The attraction between oppositely charged ions holds the bond together.
Step-by-step explanation:
An ionic bond is formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another. In this type of bond, one atom loses electrons and becomes positively charged, while the other atom gains those electrons and becomes negatively charged. The attraction between oppositely charged ions holds the bond together.
For example, in the compound sodium chloride (NaCl), the sodium atom transfers one electron to the chlorine atom. The sodium atom becomes a positively charged ion, Na+, and the chlorine atom becomes a negatively charged ion, Cl-. The attraction between Na+ and Cl- forms the ionic bond.