Ionic bond

An ionic bond is a type of chemical bond formed when one atom transfers electrons to another, creating charged particles called ions. For example, a metal atom might lose electrons and become a positively charged ion (cation), while a non-metal gains those electrons and becomes negatively charged (anion). The opposite charges attract, holding the ions together in a stable compound. This process results in substances like table salt (sodium chloride), where sodium and chlorine ions stick together through ionic bonds, creating a solid crystal structure.