Which bond involves the transfer of electrons between atoms, forming charged ions?

Which bond involves the transfer of electrons between atoms, forming charged ions?

• A. Covalent bond
• B. Ionic bond
• C. Hydrogen bond
• D. Metallic bond

Answer: (B)

Electron transfer between atoms forming charged ions defines this bond. When one atom donates electrons to another, the donor becomes a positively charged ion and the acceptor becomes a negatively charged ion. The strong electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions holds the compound together, which is why this type of bond typically occurs between a metal and a nonmetal. This is different from covalent bonds, where electrons are shared rather than transferred; hydrogen bonds are weaker attractions between molecules, often involving hydrogen and a highly electronegative atom; and metallic bonds involve a lattice of positive ions in a sea of delocalized electrons.

Electron transfer between atoms forming charged ions defines this bond. When one atom donates electrons to another, the donor becomes a positively charged ion and the acceptor becomes a negatively charged ion. The strong electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions holds the compound together, which is why this type of bond typically occurs between a metal and a nonmetal.

This is different from covalent bonds, where electrons are shared rather than transferred; hydrogen bonds are weaker attractions between molecules, often involving hydrogen and a highly electronegative atom; and metallic bonds involve a lattice of positive ions in a sea of delocalized electrons.