Which statement correctly describes ionic bonds?

• A. They form by covalent sharing of electrons
• B. They form by metallic bonding
• C. They form from transfer of electrons and attraction between oppositely charged ions
• D. They occur only in noble gas compounds

Answer: (C)

Ionic bonds arise when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating positively and negatively charged ions that attract each other. This typically happens between a metal and a nonmetal: the metal donates electrons and becomes a cation, while the nonmetal accepts electrons and becomes an anion. The strong electrostatic attraction between these opposite charges holds the compound together, producing solid ionic compounds like table salt. This is different from covalent bonds, where electrons are shared between atoms, and from metallic bonding, where a “sea” of delocalized electrons moves around a lattice of positive metal ions. Noble gas compounds are rare and don’t reflect the classic ionic bond pattern of electron transfer between metals and nonmetals.