Rutgers Anatomy & Physiology Test Practice

The bond that forms when one atom loses an electron and another atom accepts it is referred to as an ionic bond. This occurs between atoms with significantly different electronegativities, typically between a metal and a nonmetal. In this process, the metal atom, which has a tendency to lose electrons, becomes positively charged after losing one or more electrons. Conversely, the nonmetal atom, which has a higher electronegativity, accepts the lost electron and becomes negatively charged.

This transfer of electrons results in the formation of ions—cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions)—that are held together by the electrostatic forces of attraction between them, characteristic of ionic bonds. These types of bonds are crucial in the formation of ionic compounds, which exhibit distinct properties such as high melting and boiling points, and they generally dissolve well in water. Understanding ionic bonding is essential in studying various chemical and biological processes.