Ionic Bonding: Which statement best describes ionic bonding?

Ionic Bonding: Which statement best describes ionic bonding?

• A. Sharing of Electrons
• B. Metallic Bonding
• C. Transfer of Electrons
• D. Covalent Bonds Between Atoms

Answer: (C)

Ionic bonding happens when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating ions with opposite charges that attract each other. Typically, a metal loses electrons to become a positively charged ion, while a nonmetal gains electrons to become a negatively charged ion. The strong electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions holds the compound together in a crystal lattice. This is different from sharing electrons in covalent bonds, where atoms share electrons rather than transfer them, and from metallic bonding, which involves a sea of delocalized electrons around metal cations.

Ionic bonding happens when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating ions with opposite charges that attract each other. Typically, a metal loses electrons to become a positively charged ion, while a nonmetal gains electrons to become a negatively charged ion. The strong electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions holds the compound together in a crystal lattice. This is different from sharing electrons in covalent bonds, where atoms share electrons rather than transfer them, and from metallic bonding, which involves a sea of delocalized electrons around metal cations.