ionic bond

Charge-based chemical link

An ionic bond is a chemical bond formed when one atom transfers electrons to another, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other.

Table salt forms through ionic bonding—sodium gives up an electron to chlorine, producing positively charged sodium ions and negatively charged chloride ions that lock together in a crystal lattice.

formation

electronegativity

Atomic electron attraction strength

valence electronsOutermost electrons determining reactivity
anionNegatively charged ion
cationPositively charged ion

metal · nonmetal · electropositive · periodic table · alkali metals · halogens · oxidation state

compounds

sodium chloride

NaCl compound

saltSodium chloride compound
halideHalogen-element compound
oxideOxygen-bonded compound

magnesium oxide · chemical formula · hydroxide · sulfate · carbonate · nitrate · electrolyte · dissociation · hydration

properties

high melting point

Resists becoming liquid

conductivityAbility to carry current
solubilityDissolving potential in liquid
hardnessResistance to penetration

brittleness · electrical insulator · aqueous solution · dissociation · dissolution · stability · durability · cohesion

structure

packing

Putting items in containers

brittlenessProne to snapping

Categories

scientific phrasesbig bang, black hole, natural selection, climate change, genetic code
bondscorporate bonds, municipal bonds, treasury bonds, savings bonds, junk bonds
chemistryatom, atoms, organic chemistry, molecule, chemistry
chemical bondscovalent bonds, metallic, hydrogen bonds
ionsions, anion, cation, anions, cations
valencepositive, negative, neutral, charge, electron shell

Opposites

chemical bonding mechanism

ionic bondcovalent bond

Shared-electron atomic link

bond strength and properties

ionic bondhydrogen bond

Electronegativity-based intermolecular attraction

Family

bond, ion, ionic, ionic bonds

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