What is an ionic bond?

An ionic bond is characterized as a strong force of attraction between positive and negative ions. This occurs when one atom, typically a metal, donates electrons to another atom, usually a non-metal, resulting in the formation of ions. The metal becomes a positively charged ion (cation), while the non-metal transforms into a negatively charged ion (anion).

The electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions is what constitutes the ionic bond, making it a strong interaction that holds the ions together in a lattice structure. This strong attractive force leads to high melting and boiling points in ionic compounds compared to those with weaker bonds, such as covalent bonds. Understanding this concept is essential in chemistry, as it highlights the nature of ionic compounds and how they differ from other types of chemical bonds.