Describe what is meant by the words ionic bond.

Describe what is meant by the words ionic bond.

• A. It is the electrostatic attraction between positive ions and negative ions.
• B. It is the sharing of electrons between atoms
• C. It is the covalent bond within a molecule
• D. It is the attraction between molecules of a substance

Answer: (A)

Ionic bonds form when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). The strong electrostatic attraction between these opposite charges pulls the ions together and holds the compound in a solid lattice. This is different from covalent bonding, where atoms share electrons rather than producing ions, and it’s not simply an attraction between neutral molecules. Ionic bonds usually occur between metals and nonmetals and lead to materials with high melting points and characteristic crystal structures.

Ionic bonds form when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). The strong electrostatic attraction between these opposite charges pulls the ions together and holds the compound in a solid lattice. This is different from covalent bonding, where atoms share electrons rather than producing ions, and it’s not simply an attraction between neutral molecules. Ionic bonds usually occur between metals and nonmetals and lead to materials with high melting points and characteristic crystal structures.