Ionic bond

Definition

An ionic bond is a type of chemical bond formed through the electrical force between oppositely charged ions. It typically occurs when one atom donates one or more electrons to another atom, resulting in a stable electron configuration for both.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ionic bonds usually form between metals and nonmetals.
2. The resulting compounds from ionic bonds are called ionic compounds or salts.
3. Ionic compounds generally have high melting and boiling points due to strong attractions between ions.
4. In an aqueous solution, ionic compounds often dissolve and dissociate into individual ions.
5. Ionic bonds result in the formation of crystalline lattice structures.

Review Questions

• What types of elements typically form ionic bonds?
• What happens to electrons during the formation of an ionic bond?
• Why do ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points?

Related terms

Covalent Bond: A type of chemical bond where atoms share pairs of electrons.

Electron Transfer: The movement of electrons from one atom or molecule to another, crucial in forming ionic bonds.

Electronegativity: A measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons, influencing bond type formation.