An ionic bond forms when:

An ionic bond forms when there is a transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of charged ions that attract each other due to electrostatic forces. This typically occurs between metals and nonmetals, where the metal donates one or more electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, often resembling that of the nearest noble gas. The nonmetal, on the other hand, accepts the electrons and becomes negatively charged.

For example, in the formation of sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium (Na) donates one electron to become Na⁺, while chlorine (Cl) accepts that electron to become Cl⁻. The oppositely charged ions (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) are then held together by strong electrostatic forces, creating a stable ionic compound. Ionic bonds are characterized by high melting and boiling points and typically result in crystalline structures.