What is an ionic bond?

An ionic bond is characterized by a strong electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. This type of bond forms when one atom donates an electron to another atom, resulting in the formation of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). The resulting ionic compound is held together by the attractive forces between these charged species, which is typically very strong and leads to the formation of crystal lattice structures.

Understanding the nature of ionic bonds is crucial because they are fundamental in the formation of many compounds, especially between metals and nonmetals. This bonding type is distinct from other forms of bonding, like covalent bonding, where electrons are shared rather than transferred, and from purely neutral interactions that would not result in the formation of new compounds.