Question

What are ionic bonds?

Answer 1

Ionic bonding is the complete transfer of valence electron between atoms.

Explanation:

Ionic bonding is a type of chemical bond that occurs between two oppositely charged ions. In ionic bonds there is a compete transfer of electrons in comparison to covalent bonding where there is sharing of electrons.

Answer 2

Ionic bonds are the bonds that are formed during the formation of electrovalent or ionic compounds.

This happens when a metallic atom reacts with a non-metallic atom.Electrovalent compounds are formed due to the high difference in electronegativities between the metallic atoms and the non-metallic atoms.

For example, `NaCl` is an ionic compound.

• The `Na` atom consists of 1 valence electron in its valence shell.
  Thus, `Na` needs to lose this electron to attain octet configuration.
• The `Cl` atom consists of 7 valence electrons in its outermost shell. Thus, `Cl` needs to gain 1 valence electron to attain an octet configuration.

So, the `Na` atom donates `1` electron and attains stable electronic configuration. This electron is accepted by the `Cl` atom. So, `Cl` atom also attains stable electronic configuration. In the process, strong ionic bonds are formed between the two elements, and the crystalline ionic compound, `NaCl` is formed.

You can refer to the image for better understanding:

Hope it was of some help!!