Question

Question #7cfbd

Answer 1

It is an electrostatic attraction between two oppositely charged atoms.

All atoms try to be more "chemically stable" by gaining or losing electrons to reach the same number of electrons as the nearest noble gas in the periodic table. However, this gain or loss of electrons will render them either positive (electron loss) or negative (electron gain).

The resulting atoms will be chemically stable but not neutrally charged. This will cause them to be attracted to each other and stick together.

A good example is table salt, Sodium Chloride.

Sodium, or `Na` has the atomic number of 11, and hence 11 electrons around its nucleus. And by looking at its electron configuration, we see that it has a single electron at the outer orbit.

Chlorine, or `Cl` has the atomic number of 17, and hence 17 electrons around its nucleus. And by looking at its electron configuration, we see that it has room for a single electron at its outer orbit.

When they both get in contact with each other, the single atom of `Na` will jump off from its outer orbit and land in the outer orbit of `Cl`.

This change in electrical charge will turn `Na` into `Na^+` and `Cl` into `Cl^-` and the difference in charge will make them both stick together strongly and form `NaCl` or "table salt".

Ionic bonds are one of the strongest type of bonds and are water soluble due to their strong polarity.

Resources & further reading:
Ionic Bonding
Electron Configuration