Which of the following describes an ionic bond? A. Two atoms of the same element share a pair of electrons in the middle of the two atoms. B. One metallic and one nonmetallic atom bond by attracting oppositely charged ions. C. Two metallic atoms bond through the electrostatic attractive force between conduction electrons and positively charged metal ions. D. Two nonmetallic atoms bond by sharing their electrons.

Ionic bonding is a type of chemical bond where atoms transfer electrons to achieve a full outer electron shell. This typically occurs between a metal and a non-metal. The metal atom loses electrons and becomes a positively charged ion, known as a cation. The non-metal atom gains those electrons and becomes a negatively charged ion, called an anion. This transfer of electrons results in oppositely charged ions that attract each other due to electrostatic forces. These ionic bonds create a strong and stable arrangement in ionic compounds.

For instance, in sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium (Na) donates one electron to chlorine (Cl), forming Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. The resulting electrostatic attraction between these ions forms the ionic bond.

Understanding cations and anions is essential for grasping ionic bonding. A cation is a positively charged ion, which forms when an atom loses one or more electrons. This loss makes the atom have more protons than electrons, resulting in a net positive charge. Metals such as sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca) commonly form cations.

On the other hand, an anion is a negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains one or more electrons. This gain leads to an excess of electrons over protons, giving the atom a net negative charge. Non-metals like chlorine (Cl) and oxygen (O) typically form anions.

Together, cations and anions create ionic compounds through their electrostatic attraction, leading to stable and neutral compounds on the whole.

Electrostatic attraction is the force at the heart of ionic bonding. When a cation and an anion form, they attract each other because of their opposite charges. This attraction is known as electrostatic attraction. It is a strong force that holds the ions tightly together in a regular, repeating arrangement called a crystal lattice.

The strength of the electrostatic attraction in ionic compounds means that they typically have high melting and boiling points.
Additionally, when dissolved in water or melted, ionic compounds can conduct electricity due to the movement of ions.

Whether in solid, liquid, or dissolved state, electrostatic attraction plays a crucial role in the properties and behavior of ionic compounds.